Boilermakers & Asbestos Exposure 

Boiler workers, including boilermakers and boiler operators, are one of the most at-risk groups for occupational asbestos exposure. Historically, these workers were in close proximity to asbestos and worked directly with the toxic substance every day on the job. In addition to using asbestos as insulation around pipes, boilermakers frequently sprayed asbestos onto various structures to prevent them from suffering heat-related damage in the event of a fire. 

Industrial equipment used in the production of boilers, such as chain falls and slings, often disturbed insulation and other materials that contained asbestos, causing microscopic asbestos fibers to be released into the air where they could then be inhaled by boilermakers, boiler operators, and other workers. As a result, boiler workers have shown the highest rates of occupational exposure to asbestos, as well as a variety of asbestos-related diseases, including asbestos and mesothelioma. 

How Boilermakers Were Exposed to Asbestos

Because of the immense amounts of heat they generate, along with their combustible nature, boilers pose certain risks. Despite safety features designed to prevent explosions and fires, boilers and boiler rooms can—and often do—catch fire. To help combat this, boilermakers and operators frequently used asbestos to insulate boilers and boiler rooms. 

Asbestos is an abundant, naturally occurring mineral with inherent heat-resistant properties. It is also naturally resistant to corrosion and electricity, making it a popular material for insulation and fire damage prevention in boilers and boiler rooms. Unfortunately, this meant that boiler workers were exposed to high levels of asbestos at work. 

Some of the many ways in which boilermakers and operators were historically exposed to asbestos on the job include: 

• Installing pre-molded asbestos insulation half-round over pipes 
• Spraying asbestos onto various structures, including columns and beams
• Working amongst asbestos materials, such as cement millboard in ceilings 
• Conducting repairs with asbestos tape, loose asbestos fibers, and other asbestos materials
• Making asbestos cement to repair broken or damaged pipes 

Today, boilermakers and operators are still at risk of being exposed to asbestos on the job. Most boilers in the United States are more than 40 years old, meaning they still contain asbestos insulation and other asbestos-containing materials. 

Types of Asbestos-Containing Products Used in Boiler Work

For decades, industry standards dictated that all sectional boilers contain some asbestos-containing material. Most commonly, a one-inch layer of asbestos insulation was used to surround the heated components in order to reduce the risk of fire. Additionally, asbestos cement was typically used around boiler stoves as further fire prevention. 

Depending on the manufacturer, asbestos-containing materials in boilers vary but may include any of the following: 

Many manufacturers knowingly used asbestos-containing materials in their boilers throughout the 20th Century, including Weil-McLain, Burnham Corporation, Babcock & Wilcox, Crown Boiler Company, Asbestos Corporation Limited, John Crane Inc., Cleaver-Brooks, Ingersoll Rand, and Foster Wheeler, among others.