FACTS
- Asphalt is derived from crude oil, meaning that the fumes can be dangerous, and the substance can cause traumatic injuries.
- Asphalt is stored and used at high temperatures that can cause explosions and fires. This can lead to serious traumatic injuries and burns for workers.
- Asphalt generates fumes that are toxic to workers. These fumes can cause headaches, skin rashes, throat and eye irritation, coughs, fatigue, and more. Long-term exposure to asphalt fumes can cause asthma, bronchitis, and even certain types of cancer.
- Many of the materials and solvents used to work with asphalt can be absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream.
- While an explosion or fire may cause immediately visible injuries, exposure to fumes may lead to illnesses that do not present signs or symptoms until years after a person’s exposure.
STATS
- The average fatal injury rate was 3.5 per 100,000 workers for the average job, while the rate was 46.7 per 100,000 workers for paving operators, making the profession 13 times more dangerous than the average job.
- According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), more than 500,000 workers are exposed to the dangers of asphalt each year in the US.
- There are approximately 3,500 hot mix asphalt facilities in the United States and more than 7,000 paving contractors employing more than 300,000 workers.
- Most of the asphalt in the United States is used either for paving of roads or roofing operations. According to estimates by the CDC up to 50,000 roofers are exposed to asphalt fumes every year. Other use includes insulation, damp proofing, and waterproofing.
- In a multi-country study of 29,820 male workers employed in road paving, asphalt mixing and roofing, 32,245 ground and building construction workers.