Roofers

History and Background

Roofers are a group of carpenters who specialize in the installation and repair of roofs. About two-thirds of all roofers are self-employed, while the rest work for larger construction companies. There are two basic kinds of roofs: flat and pitched (sloped) and most roofers are well trained in order to work with either kind of roof. Flat roofs are found usually in larger projects such as office buildings while pitched roofs are more likely to be found in smaller buildings and personal residences.

Tasks Putting Roofers at Risk for Asbestos Exposure

Until the past couple of decades, many roofing products were made with asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that can be hazardous to one's health (as described below). The reason was that it was used is that it is very strong, durable and heat and fire resistant, thus an almost perfect product for roof-construction. Roofers were exposed to harmful asbestos dust through working with these asbestos containing products. They would have to saw or cut asbestos tiles, shingles, or other products thus getting asbestos particles in the air. Also when they were replacing an older roof they would rip off old shingles and other roofing materials again putting dangerous asbestos into the air. Most roofing products today are made without asbestos, but older products that are found on older roofs may still contain asbestos.

Types of Products:

• corrugated, flat or laminated cementitious extrusion panels
• roofing tiles and shingles
• smooth and mineral-surfaced roofing felts
• asphalt shingles
• caulking putties
• cold-applied adhesives
• roofing asphalt
• mastic
• asphalt tile cement
• roof putty
• fire sealants

Examples of Products:

• AAA Hip and Ridge Shingles
• Careystone Corrugated Roofing
• Externit Asbestos Shingles
• Fire-chex '325' Shingles
• Flintcoat Roofing
• Johns-Manville Blak-Kap Duplex Roofing
• Suprador Fiber-Shake Sidewall Shingles

Roofers At Risk for Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos Diseases

Roofers were often placed at risk of occupational injury from exposure to asbestos. The products that they worked with on a daily basis contained this harmful substance which has known causal links to mesothelioma, a terminal cancer that can affect the lungs, heart or abdomen. If you, or someone you know, worked in the roofing trade, seeing a physician on a periodic basis can ensure regular monitoring for signs of mesothelioma or other serious asbestos-related lung problems.