Locomotive Engineers and Asbestos Exposure
Locomotive engineers are members of the railroad that may have unknowingly been exposed to asbestos and, consequently, the serious health problems asbestos exposure can cause like mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Locomotive Engineers are at a High Risk for Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
The railroad industry, including locomotive engineers, has been regarded as one of the more hazardous working environments because a number of asbestos products were used on trains. Asbestos-containing products can release airborne dust when disturbed, which when inhaled by people can lead to a number of health problems including asbestosis and mesothelioma. It is unfortunate that many of these asbestos exposures could have been prevented if railroad workers had simply been given the information, training and safety equipment.
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Asbestos Products in the Railroad Industry
Locomotive engineers were at risk for asbestos exposure because asbestos was used many different areas of locomotives for its resistance to heat and friction, resistance to electrical and chemical damage, and sound absorption and tensile strength. Asbestos-containing insulation was used in several areas of the train including engine rooms, box-cars, cabooses, boiler rooms, and around various pipes. Asbestos was also used in refrigeration units, railroad brakes, clutches, gaskets, packing, rope, cement, and ceiling/floor tiles.
Changing brake shoes was perhaps the most dangerous activity for a worker to perform due to the almost certain exposure. Asbestos was used in the brakes because of its resistance to heat and friction but the brakes as a whole would eventually wear down, making them more likely to release dust and fibers. These brake shoes were replaced frequently, so someone charged with this task likely performed it thousands of times. Gaskets were also dangerous because they were not usually customized for a specific. To modify the gasket it was often cut, ground, and sanded which released the embedded asbestos fibers into the air.
As with most occupational asbestos exposures, locomotive engineers were not the only people at risk for asbestosis, mesothelioma, and the other health risks. Railroad workers often returned to their home covered in asbestos fibers putting both family and friends at risk.
Were You Exposed to Asbestos Working as a Locomotive Engineer? Asbestos Attorneys May be Able to Help
It is recommended that people who have spent a significant period of time working as a locomotive engineer get a full physical evaluation by a doctor. Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, may take up to 30-40 years to manifest. Like many other diseases, it is important to catch the disease in its early stages. At-risk workers should pay close attention to any mesothelioma symptoms which include fluid in the lungs, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe you were exposed to asbestos over the course of your railroad career, you may be entitled to an mesothelioma settlement from your former employer. To learn more about your legal options, please one of our asbestos attorneys for a free case evaluation.