Old Railroad Issues Loom

Posted by: JWhite on Feb 16, 2010

Tagged in: Untagged

The early age of the steam locomotive, some 100+ years ago relied on a number of materials that are outdated today. With the new spreed rail and 'enhance' rail road systems in the works by the federal government, some of this materials are going to be dealt with again. The nastiest of them all is asbestos.

Just ask embattled WR Grace Company, which has stared down the hole of bankruptcy for some time now. As of 2007 they have faced 113 lawsuits from workers and townspeople.

Asbestos products have been used in different products up until the 1980's and as a result thousand of people have been exposed. Mesothelioma is the deadly cancer that can result from exposure (to the lungs).

It would be interesting to find out how much this problem is causing companies in dollars and cents. Not just from lawyers, but in adjusting practices that are now concerned with protecting their workers at all costs, in order to avoid bigger costs.

Comment (0)