Oil Refinery Workers

Occupation Risk Profile
Oil Refinery Workers
Category	Occupation
Risk Level	Extreme (PMR 410)
Worker Exposure	90% direct/indirect contact
Settlement Range	$1.5-4.5 million avg
Trust Funds	$30 billion available
Peak Exposure	1940-1980
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Executive Summary

Oil refinery workers face one of the highest occupational asbestos exposure risks in American industry, with proportionate mortality ratios reaching 410% of expected deaths and maintenance workers showing mortality rates up to 30 times higher than the general population. The 2017 CDC analysis of malignant mesothelioma deaths ranked petroleum refining as the second highest industry among 207 occupational categories. A landmark 1991 study documented that approximately 90% of refinery workers had direct or indirect asbestos contact, with more than half of this exposure occurring without any protective precautions—creating a public health crisis that continues generating disease cases today.

The concentration of refineries along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast created geographic clusters of exposure affecting hundreds of thousands of workers. Louisiana processes one-fifth of the nation's refining capacity, while Texas hosts massive petrochemical complexes in Houston, Beaumont-Port Arthur, and Corpus Christi. A 56-year follow-up study of over 10,600 Texas refinery workers found that maintenance employees with a decade or more of exposure showed mesothelioma rates 7.5 times higher than expected.

Corporate knowledge of asbestos dangers dates to the 1930s, yet oil companies continued installing asbestos throughout refinery infrastructure for decades. By 1937, the American Petroleum Institute warned of insulation dust hazards; by 1945, Shell Oil knew asbestos caused cancer. Despite this knowledge, refineries installed asbestos-containing materials in virtually every high-temperature system—pipes, boilers, distillation towers, reactors, heat exchangers, catalytic crackers, and thousands of gaskets and seals—while providing inadequate warnings to workers.

The legal system has provided substantial compensation for affected workers, with individual settlements ranging from $1.5-4.5 million and mass settlements reaching $178-187 million. Over 60 bankruptcy trusts holding more than $30 billion remain available for claims, providing multiple recovery pathways for refinery workers and their families.

Oil Refinery Workers and Asbestos Exposure: At-a-Glance

• 4.1x Expected Mortality — Oil refinery workers die from mesothelioma at 410% of the rate seen in the general population, placing petroleum refining among the deadliest industries for asbestos disease
• 90% Worker Contact Rate — A 1991 study found that nine out of ten refinery workers had direct or indirect asbestos exposure during their employment, with over half receiving no protective equipment
• Second-Deadliest Industry — The CDC ranked petroleum refining number two out of 207 occupational categories for mesothelioma mortality in its 2017 national analysis
• Maintenance Workers Bear the Worst Risk — Among refinery maintenance personnel, 96-100% of mesothelioma diagnoses are directly attributable to on-the-job asbestos exposure
• Gulf Coast Geographic Cluster — Texas and Louisiana host the largest concentration of U.S. refineries, creating regional mesothelioma rates that consistently exceed the national average
• $1.5-4.5 Million Average Settlements — Individual refinery workers with mesothelioma recover seven-figure compensation, with mass settlements reaching $178-187 million
• $30+ Billion in Trust Funds — Over 60 asbestos bankruptcy trusts remain available for refinery worker claims against manufacturers of insulation, gaskets, and other products
• Corporate Cover-Up Documented Since 1937 — The American Petroleum Institute warned of insulation dust hazards in 1937, and Shell Oil confirmed the cancer link by 1945, yet asbestos use continued for decades

Key Facts

Metric	Finding
Proportionate Mortality Ratio	410 (4.1 times the expected mesothelioma death rate in the general population), per CDC malignant mesothelioma mortality analysis
Refinery Worker Exposure Rate	90% had direct or indirect asbestos contact; over 50% without any protective precautions (1991 industry survey)
CDC Industry Ranking	Second highest of 207 occupational categories for mesothelioma deaths (2017 CDC report)
Insulator Mortality (SMR)	3,029 — insulators working in refineries face mortality 30 times the expected rate
Maintenance Worker Attribution	96-100% of mesothelioma cases in maintenance personnel directly linked to workplace asbestos exposure
Texas Refinery Worker Follow-Up	56-year study of 10,600+ workers found maintenance employees with 10+ years exposure had mesothelioma rates 7.5x higher than expected
Individual Settlement Range	$1.5-4.5 million per claimant, based on documented refinery mesothelioma cases
Mass Settlement Awards	$178-187 million in group settlements involving refinery worker populations
Active Bankruptcy Trusts	60+ trusts holding over $30 billion for asbestos-related claims, including Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, and Garlock trusts
Peak Asbestos Use Period	1940-1980, with legacy materials still present in pre-1980 refinery infrastructure
Turnaround Exposure Rates	81% exposed during asbestos installation, 90% during repair/removal, yet only 57% provided respirators
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit	0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (29 CFR 1910.1001), with ongoing violations documented at active refineries

How Did 90% of Refinery Workers Encounter Asbestos?

The petroleum refining industry's extensive reliance on asbestos stemmed from the material's unique properties for high-temperature, high-pressure industrial processes. Miles of high-temperature pipelines carrying crude oil and refined products received wrapping with asbestos-containing insulation, often Pittsburgh Corning's "Unibestos" product containing highly carcinogenic South African amosite. Distillation towers, crude columns, catalytic cracking units, heat exchangers, boilers, furnaces, reactors, storage tanks, and virtually every component handling hot materials required thermal insulation—nearly always containing asbestos from the 1940s through 1980s.

"In our decades representing refinery workers, we've seen consistent patterns where exposure levels far exceeded what anyone considered safe, even by the standards of the time. The combination of high-temperature processes, confined spaces, and thousands of asbestos-containing components created unavoidable daily hazards."

— Paul Danziger, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano

Gaskets and sealing materials represented another massive exposure source. Refineries contain thousands of flanged connections throughout their piping networks, each requiring gaskets to prevent leaks under extreme conditions. These compressed asbestos gasket sheets typically contained 80% chrysotile or crocidolite fibers. Workers regularly cut, ground, and scraped these materials during maintenance, releasing substantial fiber clouds. Major manufacturers including A.W. Chesterton Company, Garlock Sealing Technologies, and Hercules Packing Corporation supplied asbestos gaskets to refineries nationwide.

Which Refinery Jobs Carried the Highest Exposure Risk?

Maintenance workers bore the highest exposure burden, with 96-100% of their mesothelioma cases attributable to workplace asbestos and 42-49% of lung cancers linked to fiber exposure. Among maintenance personnel, standardized mortality ratios escalate dramatically: 428 for general maintenance workers, 469 for those with 20-plus years since first exposure, and an extraordinary 3,029 for insulators specifically.

⚠ High-Risk Positions: Insulators (SMR 3,029), pipefitters, Boilermakers, millwrights, Welders, Electricians, carpenters, and mechanics all worked directly with asbestos materials. Process operators encountered deteriorating insulation on equipment, while even control room personnel breathed contaminated air circulated from process areas.

Turnarounds—planned maintenance shutdowns for equipment overhaul—created especially dangerous conditions. Workers testified that asbestos insulation was "torn out and disturbed," with materials "knocked off" pipes and equipment throughout massive fiber-releasing operations. A 1990 survey revealed that during asbestos installation 81% experienced exposure, during repair work 90% faced exposure, and during removal operations 90% encountered fibers—yet only 57% were provided respirators and just 42% received protective clothing.

Why Are Gulf Coast Workers at Particular Risk?

The concentration of petroleum refining along the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast created the nation's highest regional mesothelioma rates. Louisiana processes approximately one-fifth of total U.S. refining capacity, with major facilities in Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and New Orleans creating widespread occupational exposure.

Texas hosts massive petrochemical complexes along the Gulf Coast, with Houston, Beaumont-Port Arthur, and Corpus Christi serving as major refining centers. The state's mesothelioma death rate consistently exceeds national averages, with refinery workers comprising a substantial portion of cases.

"The Gulf Coast petrochemical corridor represents one of the most concentrated areas of occupational asbestos exposure in the country. Workers at facilities from Houston to New Orleans faced decades of exposure, and we're still seeing new diagnoses emerge from those years of corporate negligence."

— Rod De Llano, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano

What Compensation Can Oil Refinery Workers Receive?

Refinery workers with mesothelioma can pursue compensation through multiple channels simultaneously. Individual settlements typically range from $1.5-4.5 million, while mass settlements involving groups of affected workers have reached $178-187 million. Major oil companies including ExxonMobil and equipment manufacturers like Union Carbide remain viable defendants in ongoing litigation.

✓ Multiple Compensation Sources: Refinery workers may qualify for: (1) Personal injury lawsuits against oil companies (premises liability), (2) Product liability claims against insulation and gasket manufacturers, (3) Trust fund claims against bankrupt defendants, (4) Workers' compensation claims, and (5) VA benefits for veterans. These sources can be pursued simultaneously.

Over 60 bankruptcy trusts holding more than $30 billion remain available for claims. Refinery workers typically qualify for claims against multiple trusts based on the variety of products they encountered—insulation from Johns-Manville and Owens Corning, gaskets from Garlock and Flexitallic, and other asbestos materials from dozens of manufacturers.

What Documentation Do Refinery Workers Need?

Employment records establishing work history at specific refineries form the foundation of successful claims. Records should document dates of employment, job titles and classifications, specific facilities where work occurred, and turnaround or maintenance projects participated in. Social Security earnings statements, tax returns, and union records help verify employment when direct company records are unavailable.

ℹ Key Evidence: Product identification strengthens claims significantly. Refineries maintained detailed procurement records, and engineering specifications often mandated specific asbestos products by brand. Co-worker testimony describing products used, exposure conditions during turnarounds, and lack of protective equipment provides crucial corroboration.

Given statutes of limitations ranging from 1-3 years from diagnosis in most states, legal consultation should begin immediately upon diagnosis to ensure all deadlines are met.

What Are the Current Risks for Refinery Workers?

Legacy asbestos materials remain embedded in aging refineries built before 1980, requiring sophisticated management programs during maintenance and turnaround operations. OSHA regulates refinery asbestos exposure through 29 CFR 1910.1001, establishing a permissible exposure limit of 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter—yet violations continue occurring at facilities nationwide.

The EPA's March 2024 comprehensive ban on chrysotile asbestos addresses some industrial uses, though litigation has created regulatory uncertainty. The agency's November 2024 Risk Evaluation specifically found that legacy asbestos uses "significantly contribute to unreasonable risk," acknowledging that materials become hazardous when disturbed during maintenance, repair, or demolition—activities that occur regularly at operating refineries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for mesothelioma to develop after refinery asbestos exposure?

Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20-60 years from first asbestos exposure to diagnosis. A refinery worker exposed during the peak era of the 1940s-1970s may not develop symptoms until decades later, which is why new cases continue to appear today among retired petroleum industry workers. This extended latency often makes it difficult for patients to connect their diagnosis to workplace exposure without expert medical and legal guidance. The 56-year follow-up study of Texas refinery workers confirmed that mesothelioma risk remains elevated for the entirety of a worker's life after significant asbestos exposure.

What is a turnaround and why is it so dangerous for asbestos exposure?

A turnaround is a planned maintenance shutdown during which refinery equipment is overhauled, repaired, and inspected. During turnarounds, workers tear out, disturb, and replace asbestos-containing insulation on pipes, boilers, heat exchangers, and other components. A 1990 survey found that 90% of workers performing asbestos repair and removal during turnarounds were exposed to fibers, yet only 57% were given respirators and just 42% received protective clothing. These events often lasted weeks and involved hundreds of workers in confined areas with massive fiber releases.

Can refinery workers still be exposed to asbestos today?

Yes. Legacy asbestos materials remain embedded in refinery infrastructure built before 1980, and many of these facilities are still operational. OSHA regulates current exposure under 29 CFR 1910.1001, setting a permissible exposure limit of 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter, but violations continue at active refineries. The EPA's November 2024 Risk Evaluation confirmed that legacy asbestos uses in industrial settings "significantly contribute to unreasonable risk," particularly when materials are disturbed during maintenance and repair work.

How much compensation can oil refinery workers receive for mesothelioma?

Individual settlements for refinery workers with mesothelioma typically range from $1.5-4.5 million, while mass settlements have reached $178-187 million. Workers can pursue compensation through multiple channels simultaneously, including personal injury lawsuits against oil companies, product liability claims against insulation and gasket manufacturers, trust fund claims against bankrupt defendants, workers' compensation, and VA benefits for veterans. Over 60 bankruptcy trusts holding more than $30 billion remain available for claims.

Which oil companies have been held liable for asbestos exposure?

Major oil companies including ExxonMobil have lost significant mesothelioma cases on appeal, establishing that refinery operators knew of asbestos dangers and failed to protect workers. Equipment manufacturers such as Union Carbide and insulation suppliers including Johns-Manville and Pittsburgh Corning have also been held liable. Many of these companies filed for bankruptcy and established asbestos trust funds that continue paying claims to refinery workers and their families.

What evidence do I need to file a mesothelioma claim as a refinery worker?

The foundation of a successful claim includes employment records documenting dates, job titles, specific facilities, and turnaround projects. Social Security earnings statements, tax returns, and union records can verify employment when company records are unavailable. Product identification strengthens claims significantly because refineries maintained detailed procurement records, and engineering specifications often named specific asbestos products by brand. Co-worker testimony about products used and exposure conditions provides crucial corroboration.

Are family members of refinery workers at risk for mesothelioma?

Yes. Secondary asbestos exposure is well documented among family members of industrial workers. Refinery workers carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, hair, and skin, exposing spouses and children to dangerous levels of contamination. Family members of asbestos-exposed workers have developed mesothelioma from washing contaminated work clothing or simply living in the same household. Family members may also be eligible for compensation through many of the same legal channels available to the workers themselves.

Quick Statistics

• Gasket Asbestos Content — Compressed asbestos gasket sheets used throughout refinery piping contained up to 80% chrysotile or crocidolite fibers, according to manufacturer specifications
• Refinery Worker Lung Cancer Link — 42-49% of lung cancers among maintenance workers are attributable to workplace asbestos fiber exposure
• Unibestos Product Prevalence — Pittsburgh Corning's "Unibestos" pipe insulation, containing highly carcinogenic South African amosite, was used extensively throughout Gulf Coast refineries
• Louisiana Refining Capacity — Louisiana processes approximately 20% of total U.S. refining capacity, concentrated in Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and New Orleans
• Texas Refinery Complexes — Houston, Beaumont-Port Arthur, and Corpus Christi host major petrochemical complexes where thousands of workers encountered asbestos daily
• 20-Year Exposure Threshold — Refinery maintenance workers with 20+ years since first exposure showed SMR of 469, compared to 428 for all maintenance workers combined
• Respirator Provision Gap — During asbestos installation operations, only 57% of refinery workers were provided respirators and just 42% received protective clothing (1990 survey)
• EPA March 2024 Chrysotile Ban — The EPA's comprehensive ban on chrysotile asbestos addresses some industrial uses, though litigation has created regulatory uncertainty for existing materials
• Multiple Trust Fund Eligibility — Refinery workers typically qualify for claims against multiple trusts based on product variety, including Johns-Manville (insulation), Garlock (gaskets), and Owens Corning (insulation)
• ExxonMobil Appellate Loss — ExxonMobil lost its final appeal of a mesothelioma claim, establishing precedent for refinery operator liability in asbestos cases

Get Help Today

If you or a loved one worked at an oil refinery and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. The combination of documented corporate knowledge dating to the 1930s, extensive exposure records at major facilities, and substantial trust fund availability creates strong recovery opportunities for refinery workers and their families.

"Every refinery worker we represent reminds us that this crisis isn't history—it's happening now. With mesothelioma's 20-60 year latency, workers exposed during the peak years continue developing fatal cancers today. Our job is to ensure they and their families receive the justice and compensation they deserve."

— David Foster, Client Advocate, Danziger & De Llano

Call (855) 699-5441 for a free, confidential case evaluation with the attorneys at Danziger & De Llano. There is no cost unless we recover compensation for you.

Additional resources for oil refinery workers:

• Free Case Evaluation Quiz — Find out if you qualify for compensation in under 2 minutes
• Oil Refinery Asbestos Exposure Guide — Detailed information about refinery exposure sources
• Asbestos Trust Fund Guide — Filing instructions for 60+ bankruptcy trusts

Related Pages

• Insulation Workers — SMR 3,029 Mortality Risk
• Boilermakers — Extreme Asbestos Exposure
• Plumbers and Pipefitters — Pipe Insulation Exposure
• Chemical Plant Workers — Industrial Asbestos Risk
• Power Plant Workers — Boiler and Turbine Exposure
• UA Pipefitters Local 211 — Southeast Texas Gulf Coast Refineries
• Heat & Frost Insulators Local 22 — Houston Ship Channel & Golden Triangle
• Boilermakers Local 74 — Houston/Beaumont Gulf Coast
• Occupational Exposure Index — Complete High-Risk Jobs Database