Oil refinery workers have a wide range of responsibilities, including operating and maintaining equipment, regulating the flow of oil into pipelines, inspecting equipment, and complying with safety and environmental procedures. Before the 1980s, asbestos-containing materials were widely used at oil refineries and petrochemical facilities due to their heat and fire-resistant properties. As a result, workers were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis, which put them at an increased risk of developing a range of asbestos-related illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
While asbestos is no longer used, oil refinery workers may still be exposed to asbestos, particularly at refineries that have old pipes and machinery that has asbestos parts. For example, when asbestos-containing gaskets are removed for repair or maintenance, asbestos dust can be released into the air and inhaled by workers. In addition, if certain parts are sanded, scraped, damaged, or improperly removed, asbestos dust can also be released into the air.
The following are examples of products that can cause oil refinery workers to be exposed to asbestos:
- Asbestos insulation
- Ceiling tiles
- Cement
- Drywall
- Fire-resistant clothing
- Floor tiles
- Gaskets
- Mastic
- Packing
- Pumps
- Roofing
- Sealants
- Valves
Where Is Asbestos Commonly Found in Oil Refineries?
Asbestos products were commonly used in areas of oil refineries with particularly high temperatures and pressures. Some personal protective equipment (PPE) workers wore to protect themselves from burns and chemical exposure contained asbestos. Oil refinery workers who worked in the following areas are at particular risk of being exposed to asbestos:
- Boiler rooms
- Furnaces
- Ovens
- Reactors
Are Oil Refinery Workers at Risk for Mesothelioma?
Unfortunately, oil refinery workers are at a higher risk of asbestos exposure than the general public, which means they are at risk for developing a range of asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
According to one study that examined over 10,600 oil refinery employees over the course of 56 years, there was an increase in mesothelioma-related deaths among oil refinery workers. In addition, the fatality risk from an asbestos illness almost doubled for employees who worked at an oil refinery for 10 years or more compared to employees who worked at a refinery for one year.
A second study compared the mesothelioma rates of 200 industries and found that petroleum refining had one of the highest mesothelioma proportionate mortality ratios (PMR) of all the industries studied. While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has regulations that protect oil refinery workers from asbestos exposure, lingering asbestos in older materials at job sites continues to expose workers to this cancer-causing material.
The Philadelphia Asbestos Lawyers at Shein Law Represent Oil Refinery Workers Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
If you are an oil refinery worker and were diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos disease, speak with the Philadelphia asbestos lawyers at Shein Law. To schedule a confidential consultation, call 877-743-4652 or contact us online. Our offices are located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, where we serve clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.