August 2006
Evaluation of Asbestos Exposure During Work Involving Heavy Equipment
Our Challenge
- We were retained to evaluate the potential risk of asbestos exposure during the changing and repairing of brakes, gaskets, and clutches by heavy equipment mechanics.
Our Approach
- Assessed vintage equipment and visited the Caterpillar repair facility to observe the mechanics during work.
- Identified the similarities and differences in the work done by automobile mechanics and heavy equipment mechanics.
- Studied airborne concentrations during manufacturing and remanufacturing of heavy equipment.
Our Findings
- Because of the infrequency of repairs, the presence of oil and grease around asbestos-containing components, asbestos fiber type, and the use of encapsulated asbestos, heavy equipment mechanics were not found to have an increased risk of mesothelioma.
- Heavy equipment mechanics do not have a higher lifetime exposure to asbestos than automobile mechanics.