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Shipyard Workers - Mesothelioma Risks

Shipyard workers performed a variety of tasks within the shipbuilding industry. Some of the most common jobs for these workers included painting, electrical work, welding, plumbing work, insulating, repairs and general construction. Although shipyard workers are still employed today, the busiest time for this occupation was during the mid-20th century when war efforts were high.

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Asbestos Use on Ships

Shipbuilding reached its peak in production during the early 1940s as a result of World War II preparations. The Navy used asbestos as a construction material because of its insulating and fireproofing capabilities. In addition, asbestos-containing materials were very resistant to corrosion, which made it an ideal material to use on vessels.

Within ships, at least up until the 1980s, asbestos was incorporated into a wide variety of products. Materials located near hot temperatures and in areas associated with corrosion were especially likely to contain asbestos. Shipyard workers may have been exposed to asbestos through any of the following materials:

It should be noted that the U.S. Navy used more than 300 asbestos-containing products for ship construction until the mid-1970s.

Locations for Exposure

The most hazardous locations for asbestos exposure included boiler rooms, engine rooms, sleeping quarters and hallways. Shipyard workers who constructed these areas were likely exposed to asbestos by installing asbestos-containing materials. When ships returned from a mission, shipyard workers who made repairs and conducted overhauls also experienced asbestos exposure on a routine basis.

Longshoremen and stevedores were exposed to asbestos during the course of their jobs because loading and unloading asbestos-containing materials was hazardous. The crates, pallets and wrapping material used to transport products usually contained asbestos fibers either from the ship itself or from the contents of the crates. Simply delivering a few new hatch covers for a ship and taking the product to where it would be installed was dangerous because those covers were made of special asbestos cloth. Anyone who handled items being off-loaded from a ship or delivering a load aboard a ship was at risk of breathing asbestos fibers into their lungs.

Ship Construction Workers

Shipyard workers who worked in the construction of ships conducted maintenance, repairs, overhauls and decommissions. Any one of these activities presented a risk for asbestos exposure. Depending on the capabilities of a shipyard, workers could have been exposed to asbestos while working on a number of ships, including battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, submarines, destroyers, frigates and auxillary vessels. Those who worked on these vessels could have presented secondary exposure risks to their family members by bringing home asbestos fibers on their skin and clothes.

Resources for Shipyard Workers

One of the biggest concerns for former shipyard workers is the development of an asbestos-related disease. Mesothelioma, a cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos, can develop as late as 50 years after exposure occurred. Because of this, shipyard workers from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s are still at risk of becoming diagnosed.

If you or a loved has been diagnosed or would simply like to learn more about asbestos-related diseases, we provide a free packet that explains everything you’ll need to know regarding mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. To receive this packet, please click here.

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