Floor coverers

Floor coverers install numerous types of floor coverings such as carpets, linoleum, tiling, and hardwood. Floor coverers are skilled craftsman who know how to install and repair many types of flooring. Many tools are used in the daily work of a floor coverer including sanders, measuring tools, and saws. This requires a good amount of experience and training so that the worker is able to use these tools efficiently and safely. While new techniques and technologies exist today, covering floors still requires a large amount of skill and experience. This trade also has to be able to make recommendations to building and house owners in regard to which flooring should be installed.

Floor coverers can also handle the finishing of flooring. This process requires ensuring that the floor is in good standing, clean, and includes no defects that will impede putting down coverings. The floor coverer will have to understand the full measurements of the flooring area as well so that the proper amount of flooring is chosen.

The daily work environment for a floor coverer can consist of being exposed to many hazards such as large amounts of dust and fumes. Exposure to these types of hazards can cause respiratory problems for floor coverers. Therefore it is very important that floor coverers use the proper safety equipment such as masks and eye protection to ensure their safety at work. While the above mentioned hazards are expected, floor coverers also need to be aware of the potential exposure to asbestos dust and asbestos containing materials.

Asbestos was used in many building products for the most part of the 20^th century. In fact, many building materials were constructed with asbestos up until the 1970s and early 1980s. Numerous types of flooring were manufactured with asbestos due to its heat resistant properties and insulation characteristics. Floor tiling was manufactured with asbestos for decades. Many types of tiles contained asbestos including vinyl and rubber. Asphalt tiling contained asbestos in the early 20^th century. Vinyl tiling was also manufactured with asbestos for decades and contained asbestos up until the 1970s.

Many additional types of flooring also contained asbestos for a substantial period of time including vinyl flooring and sheet flooring. These asbestos containing products were very cost efficient and durable. Once these different types of asbestos floorings are identified, it could be a very expensive and lengthy process to safely remove them. A very popular and cost effective way of handling asbestos floorings is to simply lay an asbestos free layer of flooring right on top.

Floor coverers will very rarely deal with new products containing asbestos today. The risk of asbestos exposure mainly lies with older buildings and renovation projects. If a floor coverer is given the task of putting down new flooring and removing the older layers, he or she must be aware that asbestos containing building materials may be present. If these materials are present, it is imperative that the floor coverer does not disrupt the asbestos products by sanding or cutting. These actions could cause the asbestos fibers to become released and inadvertently inhaled the by the floor coverer. While asbestos fibers and dust are present in the air, these particles could also become attached to the floor coverer's clothing and transported unknowingly to family and friends.

Our surrounding tri-state area of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania experienced a major renovation boom over the last decade. One of the most popular types of renovations is flooring. Many floor coverers in our area have been contracted for renovations where asbestos building products could potentially exist. If asbestos is present, it is extremely important to use all safety precautions to ensure the safety of all workers. While renovations remain a concern, older floor coverers could have potentially been exposed in new installations during the 20^th century. If you or someone you know is a floor coverer that has been exposed to asbestos, seek medical attention immediately and then contact an experienced asbestos attorney to understand your legal rights.