Your Legal Rights
There are laws in place in the US to protect the public from asbestos exposure.
- Older homes have to be inspected before being sold. Current homeowners will have to have the asbestos removed before the sale can be completed.
- If an adult is examined and asbestos fibers are found in the body, the physician must call the health department so the person’s home can be inspected. If children are living in the house, then the asbestos must be removed right away. Excessive or prolonged asbestos exposure can cause cancer and other diseases.
- If a school building is found to contain asbestos, it is against the law to not have all the asbestos properly removed. After the removal new insulation will be installed and the school will no longer present a health hazard.
- Federal legislation states that it is up to employers to have a safe work environment, including safety from asbestos. If employees are to work with asbestos manufacturing, mining or production, the employers are required to provide special equipment, like contamination suits that are to be used and then cleaned at the end of the day. These suits prevent the possibility of asbestos fibers and particles from accidentally traveling outside on their employees' clothing and contaminating families and others. Along with these materials, the employees should have Material Safety Data Sheets as reference information and for any chemicals being used during the day.
- Employees have to use safe practices when working with chemicals and other cancer causing substances. There need to be training sessions for handling chemicals completed with each new employee hired and retraining available when an employee requests it.
OSHA, the main federal agency charged with the enforcement of safety and health legislation was established to keep employees safe. They also work with companies to find safe alternatives for dangerous substances in the workplace. Non-compliance will result in heavy fines and possibly shutdown until the problems are resolved.
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