Asbestos exposure in the construction industry: Is the threat real?
Occupational hazards are broadly defined as “a risk accepted as a consequence of a specific profession,” and in many instances, the construction and industrial sectors top the list of dangerous professions. While strides have been made in the realm of worker safety over the past several decades, many underlying risks still remain prevalent in the workplace. According to OSHA, one in five deaths on the job in 2016 happened in the construction sector, with falls being the primary culprit. Other mishaps, including electrical mistakes and vehicular accidents, make up the majority of remaining dangerous workplace incidents. However, the threat of respiratory illness due to asbestosexposure is still a very legitimate concern throughout the industry, which can cause severe health issues.