Roofers

Removing an old roof was often the dustiest part of a roofer's job. Crews ripped up felts, shingles and flashing with shovels, forks and bars, then threw the debris into chutes or dumpsters. Old materials were frequently dry and brittle after years of sun and weather. Wind could carry dust across the roof and back toward the workers. If you did tear-off work, describe how often it happened, what materials were removed, the kinds of buildings involved and how the debris was handled. These details help show how intense and frequent your exposure may have been.

Installing a roof meant cutting sheets, shingles and felts to fit, which could create dust when the materials contained asbestos. Some roofing cements, coatings and mastics also contained it in earlier decades. Applying those products, and later scraping them away during repairs, added more exposure. Roofers who worked on commercial and industrial buildings often handled large quantities over long projects. When listing your jobs, include the roofing systems you installed, such as built-up roofs, shingles or cement sheets, along with the products you remember and where they were bought. Suppliers and contractors may also remember product lines.

Roofers commonly worked on dozens of buildings each year, sometimes for several different contractors. That can make it difficult to recall every job. Focus first on your employers, then on major projects, and use union or Social Security records to fill in dates. Suppliers you bought materials from can also help identify products, since many kept steady relationships with the same roofing contractors. A detailed list of jobs and materials helps connect your exposure to specific manufacturers, which is a key step in any roofer's claim. Old invoices or truck logs can also add detail.

1. 1

   Describe tear-off jobs and the types of old roofing materials you removed from buildings.

2. 2

   Write down roofing products and suppliers you remember using during each period of work.

3. 3

   List the contractors you worked for and the types of buildings you roofed for them.

4. 4

   Order union or Social Security records that confirm your employment history over the years.