01.石棉使用历史
Bath Iron Works History of Asbestos Use
巴斯铁工厂最初是在缅因州的一家小型企业中，称为浴钢铁铸造厂。1865年，一名内战将军叫托马斯·海德（Thomas Hyde）购买了浴铁铸造厂。海德后来于1884年重命名为Bath Iron Works公司。
自该公司成立以来，Bath Iron Works已建造了超过425艘船，其中包括245艘军舰。Bath Iron Works与美国海军的合作伙伴关系始于1893年，当时该公司建造了前两艘炮舰。尽管在此期间，巴斯铁工厂还建造了商业船，但海军是其主要客户。
During the construction of军舰, asbestos was added for绝缘和耐用性。记录表明，至少到1940年代，浴铁工厂开始将石棉纳入船舶。
该公司使用含石棉的材料，例如涡轮机，锅炉，gasketsand pipe insulation. These products were not manufactured by Bath Iron Works, but were purchased from outside asbestos companies.
In 1942, Dr. Philip Drinker conducted a study on airborne asbestos fibers at the Bath Iron Works shipyard. Dr. Drinker was a Harvard professor, Chief Health Consultant to the Division of Shipyard Labor Relations and consultant to the Navy Surgeon General. His survey reviewed the industrial shore facilities and ships under construction.
Dr. Drinker’s findings led him to write a letter to the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in 1945. In his letter, Drinker reported a “fairly serious dust risk” at Bath Iron Works.
Dr. Drinker expressed concern for the health of workers at Bath Iron Works andshipyards with similar conditions。As a result of his findings, the doctor suggested the Navy examine men handling asbestos pipe coverings and those who worked on vessels with high-pressure steam systems.
Bath Iron Works used asbestos in shipbuilding until the late 1980s. Due to the company’s asbestos use, thousands of employees and servicemen were在工作中接触到石棉。Records indicate Bath Iron Works was aware of asbestos hazards, but failed to follow proper safety and health guidelines.
In 1987, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted an investigation of Bath Iron Work facilities. Federal safety inspectors found workspaces with oxygen deficiencies, lack of proper respiratory equipment and high levels of asbestos dust.
具体而言，OSHA检查员在主管指定为无石棉的工作区域中检测到灰尘，其中有40％的石棉含量。
After the investigation, OSHA fined Bath Iron Works $4.2 million for endangering thousands of shipyard workers. At the time, the penalty was the largest fine ever assessed against a single employer.
Bath Iron Works eventually phased out the use of asbestos. However, many individuals developed石棉相关疾病from the company’s asbestos use. Workers may also be at risk of exposure from older asbestos products that haven’t been removed.
In 1995, Bath Iron Works became a subsidiary of General Dynamics and its name changed to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. The acquisition allowed the company to solely focus on building military ships. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is still operational and continues to work closely with the U.S. military.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02.石棉产品
浴铁厂石棉产品
Asbestos was commonly found on Navy vessels and shipyards because of its strength and durability. The mineral’s fireproof qualities made it valuable in engine rooms and boiler rooms.
Bath Iron Works used a variety of asbestos products in ship construction and renovation. These products included boilers, gaskets and insulation.
Bath Iron Works did not manufacture asbestos-containing products. These products were supplied by outsideasbestos companies。However, there were instances where Bath Iron Works covered equipment with additional asbestos. For example, Bath Iron Works employees reinforced Foster Wheeler gaskets with asbestos that was not originally manufactured within the gaskets.
Asbestos products used by Bath Iron Works in shipbuilding include, but are not limited to:
- Air ejectors
- 锅炉
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Kaylo pipe covering
- Pipe insulation
- Pumps
- 涡轮机
03. Occupational Exposure
浴铁工程和职业曝光
At its peak in 1944, Bath Iron Works employed 12,000 people. From that time until the 1980s, Bath Iron Works used asbestos products. At peak production during World War II, it built 82 Navy destroyers, which may have contained asbestos.
As a result of the company’s asbestos use, many workers经验丰富的石棉暴露。在造船过程中，在安装和删除石棉组件时，公司的员工会受到曝光。在造船厂和船上工作的海军退伍军人也可能经历了暴露。
The negative health effects of asbestos use at Bath Iron Works was documented as early as 1942, but the company continued to use the mineral until the 1980s. After several OSHA citations, Bath Iron Works was fined $4.2 million in 1987 for unsafe working conditions. The company was not compliant with asbestos regulations at the time, putting more workers at risk.
04. Asbestos Litigation
Asbestos Litigation Against Bath Iron Works
As a result of the company’s years of asbestos use, many individuals developed万博专业版and other asbestos-related diseases. By the late 1970s, Bath Iron Works was being named in石棉诉讼。The company continues to face lawsuits today.
In one case, Blaine Austin developedpleural mesotheliomaafter working at Bath Iron Works. Austin worked as a painter and cleaner at the company from 1952 to 1976. He was frequently exposed to asbestos fibers when cleaning up after pipe coverers and painting over asbestos insulation.
奥斯汀于1977年去世。奥斯汀去世后，他的妻子玛格丽特（Margaret）对该公司及其几家石棉供应商提起了不法死亡诉讼。
在1981年的诉讼中，所有各方都被认为是使用石棉的疏忽大意。但是，根据当时的缅因州法律，还发现奥斯汀在处理石棉产品时未能使用适当的安全预防措施而疏忽大意。
审判几年后，缅因州更新了其产品责任法，并重述了案件。1988年，玛格丽特代表她的丈夫赢得了此案。她获得了323,456.06美元的赔偿金。
Bath Iron Works would later be named in hundreds of lawsuits by those who developed an asbestos-related disease from exposure. Bath Iron Works continues to be named in similar lawsuits today and pays claimants using its own funds.
