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Shipyard Exposure Index

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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

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.

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:

  1. Employment dates — Pay stubs, tax records, union records
  2. Job classifications — Trade, rating, department
  3. Specific vessels — Ships worked on, repair vs. new construction
  4. 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:

Many shipyard workers recover $500,000 to $1,500,000+ through combined trust fund claims and litigation.

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