Who Is At Risk?


Insulators (Asbestos Workers)

Prior to 1975, asbestos was used in a considerable number of construction materials. Individuals who insulated furnaces, steam pipes, ovens or any other high temperature vessel cut, sawed and applied asbestos block insulation, pipe covering and cements. The insulation trade brought workers directly into heavy contact with asbestos and heavy exposure. Even after asbestos was banned as a practical matter in construction materials in 1975, insulators still were involved in repair and maintenance work of asbestos in place.

Prior to the 1970's, the use of asbestos in the insulating trades was so prevalent that insulators in past days were simply called "asbestos workers." Other titles and keywords for Insulator include: Air Conditioning Installer (Insulation Work) Apprentice, Insulation Worker Blower Insulator Boiler Coverer Composition Weatherboard Installer Composition Weatherboard Installers Cork Insulation Installer Cork Insulation Setter Cork Insulator Cork Insulator, Refrigeration Plant Dampproofer Fiberglass Insulation Installers Furnace Installer, Insulation Worker Hose Handler Insulation Applicator Insulation Blower Insulation Engineman Insulation Hoseman Insulation Nozzleman Insulation Power Unit Tender Insulation Sprayer Insulation Worker (Floor, Ceiling, And Wall) Insulation Worker (Mechanical) Insulation Worker, Interior Surface Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, And Wall Insulation Workers, Mechanical Insulation-Worker Apprentice (Floor, Ceiling, And Wall) Insulation-Worker Apprentice (Mechanical) Mechanic, Insulation Pipe Coverer Pipe Coverer And Insulator Pipe Insulator Refrigeration Insulator Rock Wool Applicator Rock Wool Insulator The following list of occupational tasks are specific to the insulator's trade. Some of these tasks could have led to asbestos contamination and personal injury in the form of lung cancer mesothelioma.

  • Measured and cut sections of insulation to the proper length.

  • Stretched material and slipped over pipe.

  • Fastened insulation with glue, staples, tape, or wire bands.

  • May have wrapped a cover over the insulation and secured it in place.

  • May have installed sheet metal around insulated pipes.

  • Loaded blower machine with foam, fiberglass, cellulose, rock wool, or asbestos insulation. Regulated flow of materials.

  • Sprayed foam insulation onto wire mesh. Spray loose-fill insulation in attics or walls.

  • Stapled fiberglass or rock wool batts to walls and ceilings.

  • May remove old insulation.

  • Use common hand tools, such as knives, scissors, saws, and staple guns. Use power saws, welding machines, and compressors.

  • Physical Work Conditions:

  • Often worked indoors, but may on occasion have worked outdoors.

  • Often wore protective suits, masks, and respirators.

  • Were sometimes exposed to contaminants, such as tiny particles from insulation materials, including asbestos particulate which could lead to asbestos type personal injury.

  • Were on occasion exposed to high places. There is only a low likelihood of slight injury from falls