Sawyer
A sawyer is a construction worker who has the responsibility to saw, plane, and cut substances like wood and stone to create the raw materials for building. They may perform their work at mill or sometimes at the construction site. Unfortunately, many of these skilled craftsmen have suffered workplace exposure to asbestos, which can cause deadly mesothelioma cancer.
Asbestos, common in many building materials, can release fibers and dust into the air when disturbed, and when inhaled, an asbestos exposure can lead to a number of health problems. These include asbestosis and the following cancers: mesothelioma, lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal.
Sawyers at High Risk for Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Sawyers who worked from about 1940 to 1980 are at the highest risk for asbestos exposure because, as mentioned above, a variety of construction materials contained asbestos. Sawyers were at the biggest risk when cutting cement and stone products, which often contained asbestos during this time period.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring substance, was used in many construction materials because of its resistance to heat, electrical and chemical damage and the benefits of sound absorption and tensile strength. Because usage of asbestos was so widespread in the construction industry, everyone that worked on a job site was potentially at risk. The fibers could be disturbed into the air when any of these materials were cut, shaved or ground down with power tools to fit specific dimensions.
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Asbestos-Containing Products Common to Sawyers:
• Finishing cement
• Refractory cement
• Asbestos wallboard
A more exhaustive list of asbestos construction products can be found on our asbestos containing products page.
Today’s Sawyers Could Still be at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Today’s sawyer may continue to face the dangerous risks associated with asbestos exposure. It is estimated that 1.3 million construction workers are still exposed to asbestos on job sites annually. The United States began regulating asbestos in the 1970s, but it has not been banned entirely. In fact, two-thirds of the modern asbestos-containing products are construction materials, although they are typically labeled as such. More important to modern sawyers would be the renovation or demolition of structures built from 1940-1980, when asbestos use was at its peak. Old asbestos-containing cement, stone, and other products may still be present in many homes and commercial buildings.
Were You Exposed to Asbestos While Working as a Sawyer? An Asbestos Lawyer May be Able to Assist You
It is recommended that people who have spent a significant period of time working as a sawyer get a full physical evaluation by a medical doctor. Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, often takes 15-40 years to manifest and victims average only one year of life after diagnosis. Thus, it is important to catch the disease in its early stages. At-risk sawyers 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 while working as a sawyer, you may be entitled to the financial compensation that mesothelioma settlements can provide. To learn more about your legal options and the manner in which an asbestos lawyer may be able to help, please contact us for a free mesothelioma case consultation.