Occupations At Risk

Because asbestos was used in so many products and for so many commercial and industrial uses, millions of workers were exposed to this hazardous material. Navy seamen, shipyards workers, industrial tradesmen, insulators, and construction workers often had heavy exposure to asbestos. People working in certain occupations or occupational fields have a higher risk of asbestos exposure.

The following is a list of specific occupations that put one at risk of asbestos exposure.

• Aircraft Mechanics & Repairmen
• Automobile Mechanics
• Boilermakers
• Brick and Stone Masons
• Carpenters
• Chemical Plant Workers
• Chemical Technicians
• Construction Workers
• Crane and Hoist Men
• Drill Press Operators
• Drywall Tapers
• Electric Power Linemen & Cable Men
• Electricians
• Engineers
• Firefighters
• Foundry Workers
• Freight and Material Handlers
• Furnace Men, Smelter-Men & Pourers
• Garage Workers
• Grinding Machine Operators
• Heavy Equipment Mechanics
• HVAC Workers
• Industrial Engineers
• Industrial Plant Workers
• Insulators
• Iron Workers
• Laborers
• Locomotive Engineers
• Longshoremen and Stevedores
• Machine Operators
• Machinists
• Mechanical Engineer
• Merchant Marines
• Metal Lathers
• Millwrights & Mill Workers
• Mixing Operators
• Molders
• Oil Refinery Workers
• Operating Engineers
• Painters
• Pipefitters
• Plasterers
• Plumbers
• Power Plant Workers
• Railroad Workers
• Roofers and Slaters
• Sheetmetal Workers
• Shipyard Workers
• Steamfitters
• Textile Operators
• Tile Setters
• U.S. Navy Veterans
• Welders