Overview
Maintenance workers — employees responsible for building upkeep, mechanical systems, and general repairs — faced widespread asbestos exposure in buildings constructed before 1980. Working in boiler rooms, mechanical spaces, and throughout older buildings, maintenance workers regularly encountered asbestos insulation and materials.
Maintenance workers today still face asbestos exposure when working in older buildings. Any commercial, industrial, or institutional building constructed before 1980 may contain asbestos materials.
Asbestos in Building Systems
| Building System | Asbestos Materials | Exposure Level |
|---|---|---|
| Boiler rooms | Boiler insulation, pipe lagging | Very High |
| Mechanical rooms | Pipe insulation, equipment insulation | High |
| HVAC systems | Duct insulation, air handlers | High |
| Electrical rooms | Panel insulation, wiring | Moderate |
| General building | Floor tiles, ceiling tiles, walls | Moderate |
How Maintenance Workers Were Exposed
Boiler Room Work
Maintenance workers spent significant time in boiler rooms:
- Monitoring and adjusting boiler equipment
- Performing routine maintenance
- Making repairs to insulated components
- Working in spaces lined with asbestos
General Building Maintenance
Daily tasks exposed workers to asbestos:
- Drilling through walls and ceilings
- Accessing spaces above asbestos ceiling tiles
- Repairing floors with asbestos tiles
- Maintaining equipment in mechanical spaces
Employment Settings
Maintenance workers in many settings faced exposure:
- Schools and universities: Campus building maintenance
- Hospitals: Medical facility systems
- Office buildings: Commercial property maintenance
- Industrial facilities: Factory maintenance
- Government buildings: Public facility maintenance
- Hotels: Hospitality maintenance
Related Occupations
Maintenance workers share similar exposure with:
- Electricians — Electrical systems
- Plumbers — Water systems
- HVAC technicians — Heating and cooling
- Carpenters — Building repairs
- Laborers — General work
Health Consequences
Maintenance workers are at elevated risk for:
- Mesothelioma: Cancer of the chest or abdominal lining
- Asbestosis: Progressive lung scarring
- Lung cancer: Especially combined with smoking
- Pleural disease: Thickening of lung lining
Mesothelioma typically develops 20–50 years after exposure. Maintenance workers from the 1970s–1980s are now being diagnosed.
Legal Options
Maintenance workers diagnosed with mesothelioma may pursue:
Asbestos Trust Funds
Building material manufacturers have established trusts for compensation claims.
Additional Claims
- Product liability lawsuits: Against asbestos product manufacturers
- Premises liability: Against building owners
- VA benefits: For military facility maintenance
- Workers’ compensation: Through employer coverage