Asbestos, my opinion - Page 3 - Plumbing Zone

**Airgap** · 01-16-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILPlumber

50 - 90 times more likely. Called the synergestic effect.

The force is strong in this one

Marlin · 06-25-2009, 11:20 AM

Well I just got laid off over asbestos, yay.
I find out I am going to be sent on a job to remove a bunch of asbestos insulated heat lines. I go to boss and ask to be sent on another job as I'm not comfortable removing asbestos with no safety gear or training. First he tried to convince me first that it was cardboard not asbestos. He then backtracks to the asbestos in there can't hurt you because it's stuck in the cardboard. Even if that was true what about all the corners... So he agrees to send me on another job.
Fast forward a week and he lays off the two newest hires and me. He won't say why he picked me. Even though he didn't say anything to me I found out he balked to just about everyone else at the shop about how I should have went and how he should fire me. So I would put a couple bucks on that being the reason I'm not unemployed.

I don't have a problem working hard and trying to make the company money. I draw the line at killing myself for the company though.

Protech · 06-25-2009, 11:29 AM

I would have done the same thing even if I knew before hand that it would mean my job. What's your health worth?

My advice? Call OSHA.

**Airgap** · 06-25-2009, 11:32 AM

You did the right thing. If it was the type of insulation that looks like layered cardboard, it is the WORST kind out there. VERY FRIABLE! Bad stuff.

Protech · 06-25-2009, 11:55 AM

is this it?

TheMaster · 06-25-2009, 12:47 PM

Thats looks like a job for the new guy to do

Marlin · 06-25-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protech

is this it?

That's pretty close to what it was. The insulation they ripped out was in better shape because the metal bands were still on it keeping it from separating like it did in your picture. The stuff on the job here also seemed a little more dense then that but I could be wrong. It also had the loose stuff packed on the corners. I'm positive that it was asbestos.

It sucks because plumbing jobs are near impossible to find around here. Seems every place I try just laid people off or is fighting hard not to have to lay anyone off. But I would rather be unemployed for a few months then have cancer in my 50s.

Phat Cat · 06-25-2009, 02:02 PM

You did the right thing. Better to be unemployed and looking to work for someone else. It's one thing asking someone to work in dangerous conditions, quite another to lie about the danger and not provide the proper safety equipment.

Your boss doesn't care about you - only his bottom line - eventually this will catch up with him. However, personally I wouldn't get OSHA involved. Whistle blowers though well-intentioned usually pay a higher price than the guilty parties. If you are passionate about it - follow through and DO IT. If it's to get back at your boss - let it go.

Just my .02

**Airgap** · 06-25-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin

That's pretty close to what it was. The insulation they ripped out was in better shape because the metal bands were still on it keeping it from separating like it did in your picture. The stuff on the job here also seemed a little more dense then that but I could be wrong. It also had the loose stuff packed on the corners. I'm positive that it was asbestos.

It sucks because plumbing jobs are near impossible to find around here. Seems every place I try just laid people off or is fighting hard not to have to lay anyone off. But I would rather be unemployed for a few months then have cancer in my 50s.

I'm pretty sure that is Amosite, which is much worse than Chrysotile(grayish white-powdery). Chrysotile is what you'll find 9 times out of 10 in pipe insulation. Amosite fibers are much less forgiving than Chrysotile fibers.

UnclogNH · 06-25-2009, 03:25 PM

You did the rite thing better to be safe than sorry at someone else's profit.

06-25-2009, 11:20 AM	#22
Marlin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 523 My Photos	Well I just got laid off over asbestos, yay. I find out I am going to be sent on a job to remove a bunch of asbestos insulated heat lines. I go to boss and ask to be sent on another job as I'm not comfortable removing asbestos with no safety gear or training. First he tried to convince me first that it was cardboard not asbestos. He then backtracks to the asbestos in there can't hurt you because it's stuck in the cardboard. Even if that was true what about all the corners... So he agrees to send me on another job. Fast forward a week and he lays off the two newest hires and me. He won't say why he picked me. Even though he didn't say anything to me I found out he balked to just about everyone else at the shop about how I should have went and how he should fire me. So I would put a couple bucks on that being the reason I'm not unemployed. I don't have a problem working hard and trying to make the company money. I draw the line at killing myself for the company though. Last edited by Marlin; 06-25-2009 at 11:23 AM..

06-25-2009, 11:29 AM	#23
Protech ٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Polk County, Florida Posts: 7,167 My Photos	I would have done the same thing even if I knew before hand that it would mean my job. What's your health worth? My advice? Call OSHA. __________________ Plumber, Repiping, Replumbing, Leak Detection, Solar Water Heater, Drain Cleaner, Pipe Leak, Polk County Plumber, Lakeland Plumber, Winter Haven Plumber, Haines City Plumber, Bartow Plumber

06-25-2009, 11:32 AM	#24
Airgap Moderator Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3,318 My Photos	You did the right thing. If it was the type of insulation that looks like layered cardboard, it is the WORST kind out there. VERY FRIABLE! Bad stuff. __________________ AG..Keepin' the good water from the bad water....

06-25-2009, 02:02 PM	#28
Phat Cat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 5,106 My Photos	You did the right thing. Better to be unemployed and looking to work for someone else. It's one thing asking someone to work in dangerous conditions, quite another to lie about the danger and not provide the proper safety equipment. Your boss doesn't care about you - only his bottom line - eventually this will catch up with him. However, personally I wouldn't get OSHA involved. Whistle blowers though well-intentioned usually pay a higher price than the guilty parties. If you are passionate about it - follow through and DO IT. If it's to get back at your boss - let it go. Just my .02 __________________ All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. – Edmund Burke

06-25-2009, 03:25 PM	#30
UnclogNH Drain Cleaning Specialist Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Hampshire, In a town time forgot. Posts: 2,037 My Photos	You did the rite thing better to be safe than sorry at someone else's profit. __________________ Charging less does not mean more call volume it just means you have to work harder to reach your goals.

06-25-2009, 12:47 PM	#26
TheMaster Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6,437 My Photos	Thats looks like a job for the new guy to do

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