Asbestos Occupations

Industries and Occupations with Higher Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Workers in the following industries and occupations are at higher risk of asbestos exposure and resulting illnesses:

  • Aerospace and missile production
  • Aircraft manufacturing and maintenance
  • Asbestos & insulation manufacturing
  • Automobile manufacturing, maintenance and repair - especially brake related
  • Cement plant workers
  • Building engineers
  • Building material manufacturing
  • Construction & demolition industry:
    • Boilermakers
    • Carpenters
    • Cement worker
    • Drywallers
    • Electricians
    • Engineers & inspectors
    • HVAC
    • Insulators
    • Iron & steel
    • Masonry, tile & linoleum layers
    • Plasterers
    • Plumbers
    • Roofers
    • Steamfitters
    • Welders
  • Custodians
  • Maritime & shipyard workers:
    • Longshoremen
    • Merchant marines
    • U.S. Navy and Coast Guard personnel
  • Packing and gasket manufacturers
  • Pipefitters
  • Protective clothing and glove manufacturers
  • Railroad workers
  • Refineries
  • Refractory plants
  • Rubber industry
  • Sheet metal
  • Steamfitters
  • Warehouse indsutry

In addition, family members of employees in these industries are highly susceptible to asbestos exposure by asbestos being carried on clothing and other items.