Introduction
A workplace can pose severe risks for employees, especially if it involves working in factories. This is because workers are exposed to various chemicals and products of activity that, if improperly operated, can cause harm to health. The asbestos menace is an example of how a lack of control and regulatory measures can lead to the death of a large number of people.
Discussion
The asbestos menace was selected as an instance of a workplace tragedy that helped to shape the field of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). Asbestos is a fine-fiber mineral from the silicate class, which was often used to produce various goods and devices. However, in 1964 it was found to have a toxic effect on employees of enterprises (Goetsch, 2018). One of the manifestations of this harmful effect was lung cancer and respiratory diseases. One of the lawsuits that were filed against the asbestos organization was the John Panza case in 2012 (“Secondary passive asbestos exposure,” 2020). The man’s father worked at a brake plant called National Friction Products Corp, where he was exposed to the mineral and got cancer (“Secondary passive asbestos exposure,” 2020). Awareness of this fact contributed to the introduction of new regulatory measures, after which it was possible to reduce the exposure of employees.
In the late twenties of the 1900s, there were no safety and health regulatory initiatives that controlled asbestos exposure. However, the discovery of information about its detrimental contribution to human health motivated the introduction of urgent measures. Therefore, at the moment, OSH regulatory standards determine the passage of specific tests for asbestos to reduce the risk in production. Hence, such measures as bulk sample analysis by polarized light microscopy and exposure monitoring by phase contrast microscopy were implemented (“Asbestos,” n.d.). Moreover, OSHA has established strict guidelines for employers to follow to protect workers from asbestos exposure. These steps have helped reduce the possibility of asbestos-related tragic events.
Conclusion
In conclusion, occupational safety and health is a fundamental component of the work of any enterprise that includes work with hazardous substances in their activities. The tragic asbestos event in the 1900s showed the need to implement regulatory initiatives to lower the exposure of workers to this substance and reduce mortality and diseases. This has had a positive impact on the limited occurrence of such cases in modern society.
References
Asbestos. (n.d.). United States Department of Labor. Web.
Goetsch, D. (2018). Basics of occupational safety (3rd ed.). Pearson.
Secondary passive asbestos exposure lawsuit case examples. (2020). Karst & von Oiste LLP. Web.