But protocols failed to match reality at the Niagara Falls plant, according to more than a dozen workers.
In addition to those signature diseases, which are rare even among asbestos workers, the tiny strands can harm the body in other ways.
In the 15 years that followed, congressional attempts to ban asbestos would continue to fall short.
OSHA declined to make an official available for an on-the-record interview or comment on ProPublica's findings at the Niagara Falls plant.
At the OxyChem plant in Wichita, union president Keith Peacock said he was comfortable with the way asbestos was handled.