Carpenters
Carpentry is an age-old profession. We find mention of it in the Bible and indeed in many other ancient texts.
Traditionally, the word carpenter suggests a person who works with wood. "Finishing carpenters" have very precise skills and may design furniture or accomplish other tasks that require a great amount of patience and training. They are often admired for their intricate handiwork.
Other carpenters practice "rough carpentry", employed to do large framing for homes or commercial buildings. Roofers are also carpenters.
A shipwright - one who builds sea-going vessels - is also generally considered a carpenter.
Carpenters and Asbestos
In decades past, anyone remotely involved with the construction industry in one way or another was at risk for encountering dangerous asbestos, carpenters included. While there is little chance that a "finishing" carpenter would encounter the dangerous material, those who worked in framing or roofing may have been exposed on a regular basis.
Carpenters helping to build new homes, offices, schools, or hospitals were - before the asbestos warnings of the 1970s - surrounded by asbestos-containing materials during much of the building process. These materials included floor and ceiling tiles, paint, wallboard, gypsum, adhesive, shingles, cement, asbestos paper, and much more. In addition, in the early to mid-years of the 20th century, almost all building insulation contained asbestos due to its acclaimed heat- and fire-resistant properties.
Shipwrights, especially those who worked at the height of shipbuilding during World War II, were exposed to the dangerous material on a regular basis as well. Many parts of ships were insulated or lagged with asbestos and working in close quarters aboard a ship meant that inhaling asbestos was a regular occurrence. Many shipwrights who worked at U.S. shipyards during the 40s, 50s, and 60s were diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases by the late 20th century. As a matter of fact, the shipbuilding industry is plagued with one of the highest asbestos disease rates in the world.
Though asbestos-containing products are no longer used in new homes or new ships, carpenters working in old buildings or vessels must still be diligent about protecting themselves from damaged or "friable" asbestos, which can easily release airborne fibers. Protective gear should always be worn when the presence of asbestos is in question.
Last modified: December 17 2007.
