Metal Lathers

History and Background

Lathers are the men and women who install the support framework for interior and exterior walls as well as ceiling systems and building partitions. These people work using metal and/or wood lath, which are thin strips that are usually nailed in rows to framing supports as a substructure for plaster, shingles, slates or tiles. For the purpose of this particular write-up the focus will be on lathers who work with metal rather than wood.

There is also a form of metal lath that appears as a sheet with thousands of small holes that are designed to help attach plaster and stucco to walls and ceilings. This sheet can either be flat or 'furred'. 'Furred' lathing has ripples throughout that keep parts of the metal a little off the surface of the wall that permits the cement or plaster to penetrate the lath openings and surround the strands making it stronger and reinforced.

A metal lather has many different tasks. They first will measure their work and prepare a proper layout and plan. They will cut the pieces as needed and attach the lath, cutting openings for heating and ventilation pipes, ducts and electrical outlets. They may even install acoustic tile, hangers for suspended ceilings and metal studs for composition wall board. Some lather's are also experienced with applying stucco and plaster. These men and women would not only attach the lath but they will apply the plaster as well. They may also remove older plaster and lathing in order to remodel a project.

Tasks Putting Metal Lathers at Risk for Asbestos Exposure

Metal lathers are often employed by construction companies, or plastering, drywall and lathing contractors. For most of the twentieth century, asbestos was a major component of the construction industry being used in many areas including insulation and fire protection. All employees who worked within the industry risked possible exposure during their everyday work, metal lathers included. This exposure could come from being in an area where asbestos products are used or through contact with other workers as described below.

Metal lathers were also directly exposed to asbestos in some of their work. The plaster that was often used to cover the metal lathing was a compound known as 'cement asbestos'. It was made out of Portland cement, sand and between 5% and 10% asbestos fibers. The asbestos was added because the cement was spread extremely thin and it was needed to increase the strength. Once the cement was dry it often needed to be sanded down, putting potentially hazardous asbestos dust into the air. The metal lathers would also have to remove the cement and plaster if they were replacing the wall covering.

These men and women were also exposed through the asbestos insulation on piping systems. Pipes that carried hot water and steam were covered with a block insulation that was made mainly out of asbestos. It was usually wrapped with metal lathing to keep it in position and hold the insulation on. Undoubtedly attaching metal lathing onto asbestos insulation could get hazardous dust in the air creating a dangerous environment.

Another way that metal lathers were exposed to asbestos was through the shingles and tiles that were often used. These were commonly made using asbestos because it was heat and fire resistant.

Metal Lathers Could be at Risk for Mesothelioma

Metal lathers, like many other trades people, were exposed to asbestos on the job and could be at risk to develop mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this asbestos cancer, affects the lining of the lungs. Asbestos fibers are microscopic in nature and once an asbestos product, like cement asbestos is cut, the fibers may be released in to the air. If proper safety measures are not taken to prevent workers from breathing in the fibers, those fibers can become lodged in the lining of the lungs and mesothelioma cancer may begin to develop.

If you were a metal lather you should be aware of the asbestos exposure risks that you may have been subjected to on the job. Mesothelioma symptoms can frequently appear to be no more severe than those of a harmless respiratory illness. If you believe that you have a prior history of asbestos exposure and are experiencing chest pain, a lasting cough or persistent fatigue, check with you doctor to ensure that there is not a more severe underlying condition, like mesothelioma, present.