Boiler mechanics and other boiler workers were most likely exposed to asbestos during their daily lives at work. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Boiler workers and asbestos exposure are commonly connected as those who worked on boilers were probably exposed to asbestos very frequently. There are several different pieces of equipment that boiler workers would encounter that most likely contained asbestos. These include:
- Pumps
- Pipes
- Valves
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Ropes
As the name suggests, boilers themselves have a lot of high heat. To protect workers from these high temperatures, many of the components of the boiler contained asbestos, as asbestos is highly resistant to heat. However, asbestos is also a carcinogen. If a person breathes in asbestos fibers, especially routinely, they are susceptible to developing an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma later in life. Mesothelioma has a latency period, meaning that symptoms of the cancer do not usually develop until at least 20 years after exposure to asbestos. If you worked on boilers as your occupation, you may not notice any symptoms until decades later. Common symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Extreme weight loss
- Fever
Work done to the boilers could cause asbestos dust to be released into the air, exposing those in the surrounding environment. Boiler workers are at a high risk of asbestos exposure and of developing asbestos-related diseases.
Boiler Workers and Asbestos Exposure – The Companies
It was common for those who operated the boilers to replace old gaskets. When replacing old gaskets, the gaskets themselves had to be scraped off, which released asbestos dust into the air. Many companies who manufactured parts in boilers were aware that their products contained asbestos. These companies have faced lawsuits from those who have developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease from being exposed to these asbestos-containing materials. Some of these companies have put money into an asbestos trust fund as a way of giving compensation to mesothelioma victims without being sued. Some well-known manufacturers of asbestos products in boilers/boiler rooms are:
- Weil-McLain
- Riley Stoker Corporation
- John Crane Inc
- Armstrong International Inc.
- Foster Wheeler Corporation
- Babcock & Wilcox
- Cleaver-Brooks Company
- Combustion Engineering
Boilers are used in a variety of places including schools, buildings, homes, plants, and ships. This includes US Navy ships at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Pennsylvania. If you work on an older boiler in your home, you could also be at risk of asbestos exposure.
We have represented many mesothelioma and asbestos-related disease victims who were once boiler mechanics, and we are familiar with the previously listed companies and how to obtain compensation from them. Our experience handling these types of cases with our clients has helped us get them the maximum compensation.
If you or a loved one were a boiler worker and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can help. To learn more about mesothelioma, including treatment options, types, and hospitals to treat at, look through our website. For more information and to find out how we can help you get compensated, call us at (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form. We help mesothelioma victims in Pennsylvania get the compensation they deserve.
Sources:
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/federalregister/1994-08-10
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/boilermakers.htm
