Located in Washington State, Tacoma Boat and Drydock is a ship maintenance and construction facility. Shipyards generally have the benefit of stimulating local economies by employing hundreds to thousands of workers. The downside is that shipyard workers often face hazardous materials - usually years before it is understood that they are dangerous. Even more modern shipyards often repair older ships and vessels from all sources. This means that even in yards that do not use toxic materials, employees might find themselves working with unsafe materials that were used in the construction of much older vessels. Unfortunately, many workers have a difficult time receiving compensation for these injuries as a lot of shipyards are no longer in business. But someone who has suffered health effects from exposure to hazardous materials on the job site deserves remuneration.
Shipyards required the use of asbestos extensively to insulate ships and their fixtures. Asbestos exposure was common in this industry and harmed many. This is particularly true among shipyard employees who worked with older fixtures or modified them.
Asbestos was used most commonly in the following products in shipyards: pipe coverings, incinerators, fireproofing sprays, packing products, gaskets, and boiler rooms. When these products age they will commonly fray and release potentially hazardous asbestos fibers into the air, endangering those in the vicinity. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure and all who worked with the fibers is potentially at risk.
Tacoma Boat and Drydock is known as one of the shipyards where asbestos was used heavily during its peak operation. Asbestos was heavily used because it was inexpensive and known for its heat resistant qualities. Unfortunately when damaged, this substance causes grave health problems including malignant pleural mesothelioma. If you or someone you know has been exposed to asbestos while working at Tacoma Boat Drydock, please fill out our form for further information.