Clothing Ironers

Clothing ironers work in ironing cloth garments and other articles such as shirts, blouses, jackets, and skirts. Clothing pressers, which is another related job type, use steam-pressing and irons to take the creases and wrinkles out of clothing articles. Automated machines have taken the main need for clothing ironers and pressers far down. However, these workers are still used in high-end garments and non-traditional ironing and pressing requirements.

While early clothing ironers and pressers performed a lot of their job duties manually, today's ironers and pressers heavily rely on different types of clothing machines and computer operated machinery. Clothing ironers and pressers use multiple types of machines such as steam operators, hydraulics, and pressing machines. These workers normally work in large facilities or factory like settings around other clothing workers such as tailors, clothing alteration handlers, and sewers.

The potential of asbestos exposure to clothing ironers, pressers, and other clothing workers rests strongly on the direct exposure to the machinery that they use. As stated throughout this website, asbestos was used in numerous pieces of machinery for its heat resistance and insulation properties. Manufacturers of these machines began using asbestos in its products in the early 20^th century. The problems pertaining to the contaminant were not well known until the 1970's and '80s. While manufacturers stopped using these parts in its machines when the health hazards pertaining to asbestos became well-known, the machines that already existed on the market were still in use. These machines could potentially have a long life span and therefore could still be in operation. Clothing ironers and pressers working on these machines must practice all safety precautions when operating on or around these machines.

Clothing ironers and pressers must also be aware of the factories that they work in. Asbestos was also used in the original construction of many buildings and facilities in the United States again for its heat resistance and insulation properties. This creates a danger for the workers inside the building if there are repairs and modifications going on that can disrupt the asbestos in the materials creating it to become airborne. Factory workers in the midst of these repairs can unknowingly inhale the asbestos fibers or bring home these fibers on their clothing to unsuspecting family and friends. Our neighbor, New York City has one of the largest garment districts in the world. The workers in this district must be aware of the potentially hidden dangers of the machines and facilities that they work within. Asbestos is a serious contaminant and if you are a clothing worker that has been exposed to the contaminant, please make sure to seek proper medical attention.