Asbestos Exposure in Shipyard Workers

Asbestos in Shipyards: Ensuring Safety for Maritime Workers

Asbestos, prized for its resistance to corrosion and high temperatures, found widespread use in the shipbuilding industry. Shipyard equipment often incorporated asbestos insulation, and shipyard buildings were constructed with asbestos-corrugated sheeting. Asbestos products pervaded shapes, from adhesives and cement to insulation, gaskets, coatings, and more.

On ships, asbestos served to prevent fires by insulating equipment such as boilers and pipes. However, the inadequate ventilation in confined spaces led to the accumulation of asbestos dust, resulting in exposure both in shipyards and aboard vessels.

During World War II, shipyard workers, particularly asbestos insulators, faced heightened exposure risks. The U.S. Navy, recognizing asbestos’s utility, mandated its use in ship construction as early as 1922, leading to widespread exposure among millions of shipyard workers, especially in times of war. The Navy’s use of asbestos-containing products encompassed over 300 items for ship construction, affecting millions of workers.

The shipyard worker population, which peaked at 1,700,000 in 1943, is at high risk of asbestos from the construction, maintenance, and repair of ships. Asbestos exposure pathways included loading and unloading asbestos-containing materials in shipyards as well as those involved in ship construction, maintenance, and decommissioning.

Shipyard workers unknowingly inhaled dangerous asbestos fibers, leading to inflammation and the potential development of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. Cases of mesothelioma and lung cancer are elevated among shipyard workers due to their higher rates of asbestos exposure in the field.

In Michigan, the Defoe Shipyard posed asbestos exposure risks for military and civilian workers throughout the 20^th century. Shipyards across the country also present potential asbestos exposure risks.

Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure in Shipyard Workers

Shipyard workers exposed to asbestos often don’t experience symptoms until 20–40 years after their initial contact with the material. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear, the disease may already be advanced.

Common symptoms include:

• Chronic dry cough or wheezing
• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• Unexplained weight loss and fatigue
• Persistent respiratory infections
• Difficulty swallowing or hoarseness
• Swelling of the face or neck
• Coughing up blood (in advanced cases)

These symptoms may be linked to mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer — diseases strongly associated with asbestos exposure in shipyard workers.

Shipyard Jobs Most at Risk

Shipbuilding and repair required heavy use of asbestos-insulated equipment and components, especially in high-heat environments. Many workers were unknowingly exposed during routine maintenance and ship construction.

High-risk shipyard jobs include:

• Boiler operators and insulators
• Welders and pipefitters
• Electricians and engineers
• Hull maintenance and repair crews
• Painters and machinists
• Ship decommissioning teams
• Navy veterans who worked onboard or dockside

Asbestos was found in insulation, gaskets, valves, coatings, pipe wrappings, and even flooring materials, and confined ship environments made fiber inhalation particularly dangerous.

Can Shipyard Workers Still File a Claim?

Yes — even decades after exposure, you may still qualify for compensation. Most legal deadlines (statutes of limitations) begin when you’re diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, not when exposure occurred.

You may be eligible for:

• Personal injury lawsuits for asbestos-linked illnesses
• Asbestos trust fund claims — even if your employer is out of business
• VA claims for Navy veterans
• Wrongful death claims for surviving family members

Our legal team can evaluate your eligibility and guide you through the claim process, with no fees unless we win.

Products used by shipyard workers that may contain asbestos include, but are not limited to: