How Can Workers Protect Themselves Against Mesothelioma?

Article:

Employers are required to follow regulations dealing with asbestos exposure on the job that have been issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Federal agency respon sible for health and safety regulations in maritime, construction, manufacturing, and service workplaces. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforces regulations related to mine safety. Workers should use all protective equipment provided by their employers and foll ow recommended work practices and safety procedures. For example, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved respirators that fit properly should be worn by workers when required.

Workers who are concerned about asbestos exposure in the workplace should discuss the situation with other employees, their employee health and safety representative, and their employers. If necessary, OSHA can provide more information or make an inspection. Regional offices of OSHA are li sted in the "United States Government" section of telephone directories' blue pages (under "Department of Labor" ). Regional offices can also be located at htt p://www.osha-slc.gov/html/RAmap.html on the Internet, or by contacting OSHA's national office at:

Organization:	Office of Public Affai rs Occupational Safety and Health Administ ration U.S. Department of Labor
Address:	Room N-3647 200 Constitution Avenue, NW. Washington, DC 20210
Telephone:	202-693-1999 1-800-321-6742 (1-800-321-OSHA)
TTY (for deaf or hard of hearing callers) :	1-877-889-5627
Internet Web site:	http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/index.html (Worker's Page)

Mine workers may contact:

Organization:	Office of Information and Public Affairs Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) U.S. Department of Labor
Address:	23rd Floor 1100 Wilson Boulev ard Arlington, VA 22209-3939
Telephon e:	202-693-9400
Internet Web site:	http://www.msha.gov

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is another Feder al agency that is concerned with asbestos exposure in the workplace. The Institute conducts asbestos-related research, evaluates work sites for possible health hazards, and makes exposure control recommendations. In addition , NIOSH distributes publications on the health effects of asbestos exposure and can suggest additional sources of information. NIOSH can be contacted at:

Will the Government pr ovide examinations and treatment for asbestos-related co nditions? What about insurance coverage?

Medical services related to asbestos exposure ar e available through the Government for certain groups of eligible individuals. In general, individuals must pay for their own medical services unless they are covered by private or Government health insurance. Some people with symptoms of asbestos-related illness may be eligible for Medicare coverage. Information about benefits is available from the Medicare office serving each state. For the telephone number of the nearest office, call toll-free 1-800-633-4227 (1?800?MEDICARE) or visit http://www.medicare.gov on the Internet.

People with asbestos-related diseases also may qualify for financial he lp, including medical payments, under state workers? com pensation laws. Because eligibility requirements vary from state to state, workers should contact the workers? compensation program in their state. Contact information for the workers? compensation program in each state may be found in the blue pages of a local telephone director y or at http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs /compliance/owcp/wc.htm on the Internet.

If exposure occurred during employment with a Federal agency (military or civilian), medical expenses and other com pensation may be covered by the Federal Employees? Compe nsation Program. Workers who are or were employed in a shipyard by a private employer may be covered under the Longshoremen and Harbor Workers? Compensation Act. Inform ation about eligibility and how to file a claim is available from:

< b>Organization:	Information Resources Branch Nation al Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Address:	Robert A. Taft Laboratories Mailstop C-18 4676 Columbia Parkway Cincinnati, OH 4 5226?1998
Telephone:	1-800-356-4674 (1-800-35-NIOSH)
E-mai l:	pubstaft@cdc.gov
Internet Web site:	http://www.cdc.gov/niosh

Organization:	Office of Worker?s Compensation Programs Employment Standards Administration U.S. Department of Labor
Address:	Room S-3229 200 Constitution Avenue, NW. Washington, DC 20210
Telephone:	202-693-0040
E-mail:	OWCP-Mail@dol-esa.gov
Internet Web site:	http:// www.dol.gov/esa/owcp_org.htm

Workers also may wish to contact their international union for information on other sources of medical help and insurance matters.

E ligible veterans and their dependents may receive health care at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. Treatment for service-connected and nonservice-connected conditions is provided. If the VA cannot provide the necessary medical care, they will arrange for enrolled veterans to receive care in their community. Information about eligibility and benefits is available from the VA Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222-8387 (1-877-222-VETS) or on the VA Web site at http://www.va.gov/health_benefits/ on the Internet.

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