Asbestos and Smoking :

Asbestos and Smoking 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 responsible 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 follow 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 listed in the “United States Government” section of telephone directories’ blue pages (under “Department of Labor”). Regional offices can also be located at http://www.osha-slc.gov/html/RAmap.html on the Internet, or by contacting OSHA’s national office at: Organization: Office of Public Affairs Occupational Safety and Health Administration 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 Boulevard Arlington, VA 22209–3939 Telephone: 202–693–9400 Internet Web site: http://www.msha.gov The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is another Federal 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: Organization: Information Resources Branch National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Address: Robert A. Taft Laboratories Mailstop C–18 4676 Columbia Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45226–1998 Telephone: 1–800–356–4674 (1–800–35–NIOSH) E-mail: pubstaft@cdc.gov Internet Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh  Will the Government provide examinations and treatment for asbestos-related conditions? What about insurance coverage? Medical services related to asbestos exposure are 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 help, including medical payments, under state workers’ compensation 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 directory 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 compensation may be covered by the Federal Employees’ Compensation 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. Information about eligibility and how to file a claim is available from: 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. Eligible 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.