Company indicted for exposing its workers to asbestos

There are many ways a person can be exposed to asbestos. We have known about the deadly effects of asbestos exposure for decades, but companies are still found putting their employees at risk for asbestos-related cancer and other diseases. A company and its supervisors were recently indicted for asbestos violations at a plant in Wisconsin.

The Grede foundry in Wisconsin, a company that makes molds for brackets, engine parts and other items was recently indicted for asbestos violations. The complaint came about when the company decided to bring back a heat oven that hadn’t been working in over 20 years. The plant manager ordered a supervisor to have the insulation removed from the oven. While removing the dust and insulation, dust flew to many other areas of the plant where workers were not wearing proper protection. The supervisor told the plant manager that he was worried there wasbestos in the dust, but the plant manager and another supervisor said it was fine. A worker filed a complaint and an inspection was done. The plant manager and other supervisor produced a report showing there was no asbestos, but it was from the inside of the oven and not from the top where the workers had been working. Another complaint was filed a month later and the inspection team took a sample from the outside of the oven and found asbestos. The company then told their workers that their risk was low to exposure of asbestos. Criminal charges have now been filed against the plant manager and two safety coordinators. If convicted, they can face up to 41 years in prison and hundreds of thousands in fines.

No company should put their employees at risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure can cause serious and fatal diseases such as mesothelioma. If a person believes they were exposed to asbestos at their job they may want to speak with an attorney who specializes in asbestos exposure. An attorney has the experience necessary to investigate the circumstances surrounding the exposure and make sure a company takes responsibility for their misconduct.

If a family member is suffering from asbestos-related exposure diseases, an attorney may be able to help. Justice can be served for a family in making sure the company is held responsible and that their loved one is able to receive the medical care they need for their workplace illness.

Source: jsonline.com, “Grede foundry, supervisors indicted on asbestos violations at former Wisconsin plant“, John Diedrich, March 9, 2017