DOL offers help for beryllium exposure, silicosis

Eligible employees, contractors could get compensation, free medical care

WORKERS EMPLOYED AT 11 Department of Energy sites across the United States who were made ill by exposure to beryllium or silica dust may have a claim for compensation and free medical care under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).

The program went into effect July 31, 2001 with the U.S. Department of Labor’s implementation of Part B. Part E implementation began Oct. 28, 2004.

Part B provides lump-sum compensation and medical benefits to current and former workers who have been diagnosed with cancers, beryllium disease, or chronic silicosis, and whose illness has been caused by exposure to radiation, beryllium, or silica while working directly for the DOE, its contractors or subcontractors, a designated atomic weapons employer, or a beryllium vendor.

Part E provides federal compensation and medical benefits to DOE contractors and subcontractors who work at covered facilities and sustained an illness as a result of exposure to toxic substances.

Survivors of qualified workers may be entitled to benefits as well.

Workers or survivors who believe they may have a qualified claim may contact one of the 11 DOL Resource Centers for information and assistance (see listings below).

Another great place to start is the Building Trades National Medical Screening Program or BTMed. The BTMed program offers guidance and a two-step process to determine if you are a likely candidate for compensation. This includes a work history interview (in person or by phone or a secure website) to determine possible exposures and is followed by free medical screening at a nearby clinic. More information is available at 1-800-866-9663 or at www.btmed.org.

The BTMed Program is coordinated by CPWR – the Center for Construction Research and Training and is supported by the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO.