Key Takeaways
- SEPTA trolley maintenance workers in Philadelphia face a hidden asbestos exposure risk from the older trolley cars they service — asbestos was used in brake pads, clutches, gaskets, and insulation throughout these vehicles.
- Exposure occurs during routine maintenance tasks — replacing brake pads, repairing clutches, handling gaskets, and working with insulation — all of which can disturb asbestos-containing materials and release fibers into the air.
- The health risks include mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis — diseases that may not appear until decades after exposure, meaning current and former SEPTA maintenance workers could be at risk without knowing it.
- SEPTA has a responsibility to protect its workers through proper protective equipment, regular inspections, worker training, and adequate ventilation in maintenance facilities.
- Even short-term asbestos exposure can have long-lasting health effects. Workers who handled older trolley components for any period of time should be aware of their potential exposure.
Asbestos exposure is a serious health risk that affects many workers, especially those working with older systems like public transit. SEPTA trolley maintenance workers face a hidden danger: asbestos in the older trolley cars they work on. These workers are at risk of asbestos exposure, which can lead to severe health problems, including mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
What is Asbestos and Why is It Dangerous?
Asbestos is a material that was once commonly used in products because of its ability to resist heat. In older trolley cars, it was used in parts like brake pads, clutches, and insulation. While asbestos was useful for these purposes, it is now known to be extremely dangerous. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, tiny fibers are released into the air. If these fibers are inhaled, they can cause diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
For SEPTA trolley maintenance workers, who handle old trolley car parts regularly, the risk of asbestos exposure is very real. These workers can unknowingly inhale asbestos fibers while working on brake pads, clutches, and other car components that contain asbestos.
The Health Risks for SEPTA Trolley Maintenance Workers
Asbestos exposure is linked to serious diseases that develop years after the exposure. For SEPTA trolley maintenance workers, these health risks include:
- Mesothelioma: A rare but aggressive cancer caused by asbestos fibers that attack the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or reproductive organs.
- Lung Cancer: A common type of cancer linked to asbestos exposure, especially in people who have worked in environments with asbestos.
- Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers, leading to scarring in the lungs and difficulty breathing.
For SEPTA trolley maintenance workers, the risk of developing these diseases is higher the longer they are exposed to asbestos. Even short-term exposure can have long-lasting health effects that may not show up for decades.
How SEPTA Trolley Maintenance Workers Are Exposed to Asbestos
SEPTA trolley maintenance workers are at risk of asbestos exposure when they work on older trolley cars that contain asbestos. Common tasks that can release asbestos fibers include:
- Replacing or repairing brake pads: Older brake pads may still contain asbestos and removing them can release harmful fibers.
- Working on clutches: Like brake pads, clutches may also contain asbestos, and repairing or replacing them can expose workers to dangerous fibers.
- Handling gaskets and insulation: Many older cars have gaskets and insulation materials that contain asbestos, putting maintenance workers at risk during repairs.
When SEPTA trolley maintenance workers remove, grind, or cut these parts, asbestos fibers are disturbed and released into the air. If the workers do not have the proper protective gear, they can inhale these fibers and face long-term health risks.
What SEPTA Needs to Do to Protect Workers
To protect SEPTA trolley maintenance workers from asbestos exposure, SEPTA must take several steps to ensure safety, such as:
- Providing Protective Equipment: Workers should wear proper safety gear, including respirators, gloves, and protective suits, when working with parts that may contain asbestos.
- Regular Inspections: SEPTA should conduct regular inspections of trolley cars and maintenance areas to identify asbestos-containing materials and safely remove them.
- Training Workers: All SEPTA trolley maintenance workers should receive training on the dangers of asbestos and how to handle materials that may contain asbestos safely.
- Proper Ventilation: Work areas should be well-ventilated to prevent asbestos fibers from lingering in the air and being inhaled by workers.
Ensuring Safety for SEPTA Trolley Maintenance Workers
The case of asbestos exposure among SEPTA trolley maintenance workers is a reminder of the importance of workplace safety. Asbestos in older trolley cars is a hidden danger that can seriously harm workers if proper precautions aren’t taken. By providing the right safety equipment, conducting regular inspections, and training workers on how to safely handle asbestos, SEPTA can help protect its workers from the serious health risks of asbestos exposure.
Get Legal Help for Asbestos Exposure
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to financial compensation. With over 35 years of experience, our team is dedicated to helping victims of asbestos-related diseases secure the compensation they deserve. Our expert team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and guide you through your case. For more information, call (800) 505-6000, fill out our contact form, or chat with a representative in the bottom left corner of your screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are SEPTA trolley maintenance workers exposed to asbestos?
SEPTA trolley maintenance workers are exposed when they service older trolley cars that contain asbestos-based components. The most common exposure tasks include:
- Replacing or repairing brake pads — older brake pads may contain asbestos, and removing them releases fibers
- Working on clutches — clutch components in older cars may also contain asbestos
- Handling gaskets and insulation — many older trolley cars used asbestos in these materials
When these parts are removed, ground, or cut during maintenance, asbestos fibers become airborne and can be inhaled by workers.
Which trolley car parts contain asbestos?
In older trolley cars — particularly those built before the 1980s — asbestos was commonly used in:
- Brake pads and brake linings
- Clutch components
- Gaskets
- Insulation materials
Asbestos was used in these parts because of its heat resistance and durability — critical properties in high-friction transit systems. Many of these components may still be present in older trolley cars that remain in SEPTA’s fleet.
What diseases can SEPTA workers develop from asbestos exposure?
SEPTA trolley maintenance workers who have been exposed to asbestos are at risk for:
- Mesothelioma — a rare, aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart
- Lung cancer — risk significantly increased by asbestos exposure
- Asbestosis — chronic scarring of the lungs from prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers
These diseases can take 20 to 50 years to develop, meaning workers exposed decades ago may only now be experiencing symptoms.
What should SEPTA do to protect its workers?
SEPTA should take several steps to minimize asbestos exposure for maintenance workers:
- Provide proper protective equipment — respirators, gloves, and protective suits when working with potentially asbestos-containing parts
- Conduct regular inspections — identify asbestos-containing materials in trolley cars and maintenance facilities
- Train workers — educate all maintenance staff on asbestos dangers and safe handling procedures
- Ensure proper ventilation — prevent asbestos fibers from accumulating in enclosed work areas
Can former SEPTA workers who are now sick still file a claim?
Yes. Because mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases take decades to develop, many former SEPTA maintenance workers may only now be receiving diagnoses for exposure that occurred years or decades ago. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is two years after diagnosis — meaning you have two years from the date you are diagnosed to file a legal claim. Acting quickly is important to preserve your rights.
What should I do if I worked on SEPTA trolleys and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma?
If you or a loved one worked as a SEPTA trolley maintenance worker and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, your work history is a critical piece of your case. Document your job title, years of employment, specific maintenance tasks, and which trolley models you worked on. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.