Key Takeaways
- Westinghouse Electric Corporation, founded in 1886 in Pennsylvania, used asbestos extensively in its products — including turbines, welding rods, light bulbs, gaskets, packing, paper, wire, and cables.
- The company supplied the U.S. Navy with reactors and jet engines, much of which contained asbestos. Westinghouse turbines were installed in engine rooms on numerous Navy ships built after World War II.
- Westinghouse employed over 50,000 people by 1900, exposing tens of thousands of workers to asbestos-containing materials across its operations.
- High-risk occupations included plant workers, electricians, HVAC workers, welders, shipyard workers, turbine maintenance workers, carpenters, insulators, drywall workers, and Navy veterans.
- Even workers who never directly handled asbestos materials were at risk — airborne fibers traveled to other areas of the plant, creating secondhand exposure.
- By 1988, the company faced approximately 3,000 asbestos claims, and lawsuits continue to this day. Many affected workers and their families have received compensation.
Westinghouse Electric Corporation was founded in 1886 in Pennsylvania. During its time Westinghouse Electric used a lot of asbestos in electrical products and equipment such as welding rods, turbines, light bulbs and more. Westinghouse became an extremely popular company in the United States. In fact, the company made the first jet engine that was designed by the United States and manufactured video cameras that were used during the first landing on the moon. Despite its popularity, Westinghouse Electric still used asbestos in products and therefore caused certain workers to later develop asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that occurs from inhaling asbestos, a naturally occurring silicate material. Different workers have sued Westinghouse Electric after being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases and the corporation continues to face lawsuits to this day.
Westinghouse Electric
Westinghouse Electric manufactured appliances, gaskets, electrical wires and more. Because the corporation supplied the US Navy with reactors to submarine fleets and jet engines for other branches in the military, they gained popularity after World War II. However, a lot of the equipment that Westinghouse Electric supplied to the military contained asbestos because it was inexpensive and resistant to heat. Some products that Westinghouse was known to have produced that contained asbestos included turbines, welding rods, light bulbs, gaskets, packing, paper, wire and cables. Westinghouse turbines notably contained asbestos and they were located in engine rooms in a lot of US Navy ships built after World War II. The company exposed tens of thousands of its workers to asbestos as it employed over 50,000 people by 1900.
Occupations that were exposed to the asbestos that Westinghouse Electric used included plant workers, HVAC workers, electricians, Navy veterans shipyard workers, drywall workers, welders, turbine maintenance workers, carpenters and insulators. Shipyard workers were exposed to asbestos when they cut through insulation when repairing ships. Electricians and HVAC workers dealt with wires and cables that contained asbestos. Even those who did not directly work with asbestos-containing materials were at risk of being exposed due to the asbestos fibers becoming airborne and traveling to other areas of the plant. The company actually went bankrupt in 2017, but ended up reorganizing in 2018, because it filed for bankruptcy protection.
By 1988, the company faced around 3,000 asbestos claims and people are still suing Westinghouse to this day. A lot of people have received workers’ compensation after suing the company.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, call (800) 505-6000 for more information or fill out our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Westinghouse Electric products contained asbestos?
Westinghouse Electric used asbestos in a wide range of products, including turbines, welding rods, light bulbs, gaskets, packing materials, paper, wire, and cables. The company also manufactured appliances and electrical equipment that incorporated asbestos for its heat-resistant and insulating properties. Westinghouse turbines were particularly notable — they were installed in engine rooms aboard numerous U.S. Navy ships built after World War II.
Which workers were most at risk of asbestos exposure from Westinghouse products?
Workers at highest risk included:
- Plant workers — manufacturing asbestos-containing products
- Electricians and HVAC workers — handling wires and cables containing asbestos
- Welders — using asbestos-containing welding rods
- Shipyard workers — cutting through asbestos insulation during ship repairs
- Navy veterans — serving aboard ships with Westinghouse turbines
- Turbine maintenance workers — servicing equipment insulated with asbestos
- Carpenters, insulators, and drywall workers — working in and around Westinghouse facilities
Even employees who never directly handled asbestos-containing materials were at risk, as airborne fibers could travel to other areas of the plant.
What is the connection between Westinghouse Electric and the U.S. Navy?
Westinghouse Electric supplied the U.S. Navy with nuclear reactors for submarine fleets and jet engines for other military branches. Much of this equipment contained asbestos because of its heat resistance and low cost. Westinghouse turbines were installed in engine rooms on many Navy ships built after World War II, meaning Navy veterans who served aboard these vessels may have been exposed to asbestos from Westinghouse products — often without knowing it.
How many asbestos lawsuits has Westinghouse Electric faced?
By 1988, Westinghouse Electric faced approximately 3,000 asbestos-related claims from workers and their families. Lawsuits have continued in the decades since, and many individuals have received workers’ compensation and legal settlements. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and reorganized in 2018 under bankruptcy protection, but legal claims related to asbestos exposure continue to this day.
Is Westinghouse Electric still in business?
Westinghouse Electric filed for bankruptcy in 2017 but reorganized and emerged from bankruptcy protection in 2018. While the company continues to operate — primarily in the nuclear energy sector — it still faces ongoing asbestos-related litigation from workers who were exposed to asbestos in its products and facilities over the decades.
Can workers who were indirectly exposed to asbestos at Westinghouse still file a claim?
Yes. Even workers who never directly handled asbestos-containing materials may have been exposed when airborne asbestos fibers traveled to other areas of the plant. Secondhand or bystander exposure is a well-documented risk in asbestos litigation, and workers who developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis from indirect exposure have successfully pursued legal claims. The key is documenting your work history and the conditions at the facility.
What should I do if I worked at Westinghouse or with Westinghouse products and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease?
If you or a loved one worked at a Westinghouse facility, served aboard a Navy ship with Westinghouse equipment, or handled Westinghouse products and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, your employment and exposure history could be central to a legal claim. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
