Shipyard Exposure Index

Shipyard Exposure Index

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

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How Shipyard Workers Were Exposed

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.

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Naval Shipyards

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|-	Boston Naval Shipyard	Boston, MA	50,000 (1943)	1800-1974	View Profile|-	Charleston Naval Shipyard	Charleston, SC	26,000 (1943)	1901-1996	View Profile|-	Hunters Point Naval Shipyard	San Francisco, CA	18,000 (1945)	1941-1974	View Profile|-	Long Beach Naval Shipyard	Long Beach, CA	8,000	1943-1997	View Profile|-	Mare Island Naval Shipyard	Vallejo, CA	46,000 (1945)	1854-1996	View Profile|-	Norfolk Naval Shipyard	Portsmouth, VA	43,000 (1943)	1767-Present	View Profile|-	Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard	Honolulu, HI	24,000 (1944)	1908-Present	View Profile|-	Philadelphia Naval Shipyard	Philadelphia, PA	40,000 (1944)	1801-1996	View Profile|-	Portsmouth Naval Shipyard	Kittery, ME	25,000 (1943)	1800-Present	View Profile|-	Puget Sound Naval Shipyard	Bremerton, WA	32,000 (1945)	1891-Present	View Profile|-	Washington Navy Yard	Washington, DC	Historic	1799-Present	View Profile|-	Newport News Shipbuilding	Newport News, VA	31,000	1886-Present	View Profile|} Commercial Shipyards 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|- Avondale Shipyard New Orleans, LA Commercial, Military View Profile|- Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Mobile, AL Liberty Ships, Repair View Profile|- Bath Iron Works Bath, ME Destroyers, Cruisers View Profile|- Bethlehem Shipbuilding Multiple Locations Diverse Naval/Commercial View Profile|- Electric Boat Groton, CT Submarines View Profile|- Fore River Shipyard Quincy, MA Battleships, Carriers View Profile|- Ingalls Shipbuilding Pascagoula, MS Destroyers, Amphibious View Profile|- New York Shipbuilding Corporation Camden, NJ Aircraft Carriers View Profile|- Tampa Bay Shipbuilding Tampa, FL Commercial Vessels View Profile|- Todd Shipyards Multiple Locations Repair, Construction View Profile|} Shipyard Occupations All shipyard workers faced asbestos exposure, but certain trades experienced the highest concentrations: Extreme Exposure Trades 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 Electricians — Wire insulation, panel work Machinists — Engine room equipment Welders — Heat shielding, cutting through insulation Sheet Metal Workers — Ductwork, ventilation systems High Exposure Trades Carpenters — Bulkhead installation, finishing Painters — Surface preparation, coatings Riggers — General construction support Laborers — Cleanup, material handling → View Complete Occupation Database Documenting Your Shipyard Employment 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 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 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 Compensation Pathways 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 Occupational Exposure Index — Complete occupation database Veterans Benefits — Military shipyard workers Navy Ships Asbestos Database — Vessel-specific exposure* Secondary Exposure — Family member exposure from work clothes