Decades ago, workers were unaware of the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma and other serious illnesses, but today’s employees are well aware of the dangers and are unwilling to put themselves or their communities at risk. That’s why, upon discovering asbestos at the site of a project in Long Beach, California, two heavy equipment operators alerted their supervisor to the presence of the toxic material. When at first they were ignored, then later told to hide and bury it, they reported the issue to environmental and work-safety regulators. Shortly afterward, they were fired.
Heavy Equipment Operators Fear Public Health Disaster from Contractor’s Actions
Lead excavator Thomas Corey and his coworker Tim Sauter say they were responsible for the majority of the project’s excavation, and that after months of warning their bosses about the risk of mesothelioma from the asbestos-containing debris they were finding, they finally notified the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the California Department of Toxic Substances, and California OSHA. Their work was part of an environmental restoration project to connect the area’s Colorado Lagoon with a lagoon in Alamitos Bay.
After routinely digging up asbestos-lined transite pipes, the two warned their bosses of the risks of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases from the contaminated debris. They were concerned for the safety of the local community as well as for themselves, as they were never provided protective suits or masks. Instead, they were told to ignore the cancer-causing materials, then told to hide and bury them without telling local officials or experts.
Fired Workers Who Feared Mesothelioma Are Now Suing Their Former Employer
Concerned about the potential for a public health disaster that would leave residents at risk of mesothelioma, Corey and Sauter reported their concerns to local authorities and were fired shortly after. They are now suing their former employer, Reyes Construction, for wrongful termination. Though a spokesperson for the Long Beach Public Works Department indicates they were not aware of any workers’ complaints or allegations, an asbestos consultant hired by the city confirmed that the mounds of dirt that the two had been ordered to pile near a local fire station were contaminated with asbestos, and so was a disposal pit filled with construction debris.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease after asbestos exposure, you have options. For information, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
