Overview
Furnace workers — employees who operate and maintain industrial furnaces in steel mills, foundries, and other heavy industries — faced extreme asbestos exposure. Furnaces required extensive asbestos-containing refractory materials, insulation, and heat shields, and workers wore asbestos protective clothing.
Furnace workers were surrounded by asbestos — in the furnace lining, in their protective clothing, in the dust throughout the facility. This created among the highest asbestos exposures in any occupation.
Asbestos in Furnace Operations
| Exposure Source | Description | Exposure Level |
|---|---|---|
| Refractory lining | Furnace interior lining | Extreme |
| Protective clothing | Heat-resistant suits, gloves | Very High |
| Insulation blankets | Furnace exterior insulation | Very High |
| Heat shields | Worker protection barriers | High |
| Door gaskets | Furnace door seals | High |
How Furnace Workers Were Exposed
Furnace Maintenance
The most intense exposure occurred during furnace maintenance:
- Entering furnaces to remove damaged refractory
- Installing new refractory brick with asbestos mortar
- Patching furnace linings with asbestos cement
- Working in enclosed spaces filled with refractory dust
Daily Operations
Even routine operation involved exposure:
- Wearing asbestos protective suits and gloves
- Working near deteriorating furnace insulation
- Handling tools wrapped with asbestos
- Breathing air contaminated with facility-wide asbestos dust
Ironically, the asbestos protective clothing designed to protect workers from heat became a source of asbestos exposure. Handling, wearing, and maintaining these suits released fibers.
Industries with Furnace Workers
- Steel mills: Blast furnaces, reheat furnaces
- Foundries: Metal casting operations
- Glass manufacturing: Glass melting furnaces
- Ceramics: Kilns and firing furnaces
- Aluminum smelting: Reduction cells
Related Occupations
Furnace workers worked alongside:
- Bricklayers — Refractory installation
- Boilermakers — Industrial equipment
- Laborers — General assistance
- Maintenance workers — Equipment repair
- Welders — Furnace repairs
Related Industry
Health Consequences
Furnace workers are at elevated risk for:
- Mesothelioma: Cancer of the chest or abdominal lining
- Asbestosis: Severe lung scarring
- Lung cancer: Risk multiplied by asbestos exposure
- Pleural disease: Thickening of lung lining
Legal Options
Furnace workers diagnosed with mesothelioma may pursue:
Asbestos Trust Funds
Refractory and protective equipment manufacturers have established trusts.
Additional Claims
- Product liability lawsuits: Against refractory manufacturers
- Premises liability: Against facility owners
- VA benefits: For military service exposure
- Workers’ compensation: Through employer coverage