Shipyard Exposure Index
Shipyard Exposure Index
[edit | edit source]Comprehensive database of U.S. naval and commercial shipyards with documented asbestos exposure, workforce statistics, and compensation claim guidance.
American shipyards employed millions of workers during the 20th century, with peak employment during World War II and the Cold War. Asbestos was used extensively in ship construction, repair, and overhaul operations from the 1930s through the 1980s, creating one of the largest occupational exposure cohorts in U.S. history.
Documented shipyard facilities: 25+ Peak combined employment: 1.5+ million workers (WWII) Primary exposure period: 1940-1980 Asbestos applications per vessel: 300+ distinct uses
How Shipyard Workers Were Exposed
[edit | edit source]Asbestos was used in virtually every shipboard system:
- Insulation — Pipe covering, boiler lagging, turbine wrapping
- Fireproofing — Bulkhead panels, deck underlayment, cable coating
- Gaskets — Valve packing, flange seals, pump components
- Structural — Adhesives, cements, caulking compounds
Workers in all shipyard trades faced exposure, but those in engine rooms, boiler spaces, and insulation work faced the highest concentrations—often exceeding safe limits by 100x or more.
Naval Shipyards
[edit | edit source]U.S. Navy shipyards conducted construction, repair, and overhaul of naval vessels. These facilities operated under federal authority and maintained detailed employment records now available through FOIA requests.
| Shipyard | Location | Peak Employment | Operational Period | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Navy Yard | Brooklyn, NY | 70,000 (1944) | 1801-1966 | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Boston Naval Shipyard | Boston, MA | 50,000 (1943) | 1800-1974 | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Charleston Naval Shipyard | Charleston, SC | 26,000 (1943) | 1901-1996 | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Hunters Point Naval Shipyard | San Francisco, CA | 18,000 (1945) | 1941-1974 | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Long Beach Naval Shipyard | Long Beach, CA | 8,000 | 1943-1997 | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Mare Island Naval Shipyard | Vallejo, CA | 46,000 (1945) | 1854-1996 | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Norfolk Naval Shipyard | Portsmouth, VA | 43,000 (1943) | 1767-Present | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard | Honolulu, HI | 24,000 (1944) | 1908-Present | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Philadelphia Naval Shipyard | Philadelphia, PA | 40,000 (1944) | 1801-1996 | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Portsmouth Naval Shipyard | Kittery, ME | 25,000 (1943) | 1800-Present | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Puget Sound Naval Shipyard | Bremerton, WA | 32,000 (1945) | 1891-Present | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Washington Navy Yard | Washington, DC | Historic | 1799-Present | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Newport News Shipbuilding | Newport News, VA | 31,000 | 1886-Present | View Profile (coming soon) |
Commercial Shipyards
[edit | edit source]Private shipyards built vessels for commercial shipping, the Merchant Marine, and military contracts. Many operated under Emergency Shipbuilding Program contracts during WWII.
| Shipyard | Location | Notable Production | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Shipyards | Richmond, Portland, Vancouver | Liberty Ships, Victory Ships | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Avondale Shipyard | New Orleans, LA | Commercial, Military | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding | Mobile, AL | Liberty Ships, Repair | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Bath Iron Works | Bath, ME | Destroyers, Cruisers | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Bethlehem Shipbuilding | Multiple Locations | Diverse Naval/Commercial | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Electric Boat | Groton, CT | Submarines | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Fore River Shipyard | Quincy, MA | Battleships, Carriers | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Ingalls Shipbuilding | Pascagoula, MS | Destroyers, Amphibious | View Profile (coming soon) |
| New York Shipbuilding Corporation | Camden, NJ | Aircraft Carriers | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Tampa Bay Shipbuilding | Tampa, FL | Commercial Vessels | View Profile (coming soon) |
| Todd Shipyards | Multiple Locations | Repair, Construction | View Profile (coming soon) |
Shipyard Occupations
[edit | edit source]All shipyard workers faced asbestos exposure, but certain trades experienced the highest concentrations:
Extreme Exposure Trades
[edit | edit source]- Insulators/Laggers — Direct asbestos handling daily
- Boilermakers — Confined space boiler work
- Pipefitters — Pipe insulation installation/removal
- Ship Scalers — Surface preparation in enclosed spaces
Very High Exposure Trades
[edit | edit source]- Electricians — Wire insulation, panel work
- Machinists — Engine room equipment
- Welders — Heat shielding, cutting through insulation
- Sheet Metal Workers — Ductwork, ventilation systems
High Exposure Trades
[edit | edit source]- Carpenters — Bulkhead installation, finishing
- Painters — Surface preparation, coatings
- Riggers — General construction support
- Laborers — Cleanup, material handling
→ View Complete Occupation Database
Documenting Your Shipyard Employment
[edit | edit source]Successful claims require documentation of:
- Employment dates — Pay stubs, tax records, union records
- Job classifications — Trade, rating, department
- Specific vessels — Ships worked on, repair vs. new construction
- Asbestos contact — Products used, removal work, confined spaces
Record Sources
[edit | edit source]- National Personnel Records Center — Federal employment verification
- Social Security Administration — Employment history
- Union Records — Local union membership, job dispatches
- State Workers' Compensation — Prior injury claims
- Shipyard Personnel Offices — Some maintain historical records
→ View Evidence Documentation Guide
Asbestos Products Used in Shipyards
[edit | edit source]Documented asbestos-containing products used in shipyard operations:
- Johns Manville — Pipe insulation, block insulation
- Owens Corning — Fiberglass/asbestos insulation products
- Pittsburgh Corning — Unibestos block insulation
- Eagle-Picher — Thermal insulation products
- Garlock — Gaskets, packing materials
- Crane Co. — Valves with asbestos packing
→ View Complete Products List (coming soon)
Compensation Pathways
[edit | edit source]Shipyard workers may recover compensation through multiple channels:
- Asbestos Trust Funds — Bankruptcy trusts of former manufacturers
- Personal Injury Lawsuits — Against solvent defendants
- Veterans Benefits — For military service connection
- Workers' Compensation — State programs (varies by jurisdiction)
Many shipyard workers recover $500,000 to $1,500,000+ through combined trust fund claims and litigation.
Related Resources
[edit | edit source]- Occupational Exposure Index — Complete occupation database
- Veterans Benefits — Military shipyard workers
- Navy Ships Asbestos Database — Vessel-specific exposure (coming soon)
- Secondary Exposure — Family member exposure from work clothes