Overview
Millwrights — skilled workers who install, maintain, and repair industrial machinery — faced significant asbestos exposure from equipment insulation, gaskets, packing materials, and brake systems. Working in factories, power plants, and industrial facilities, millwrights encountered asbestos throughout their work environment.
Asbestos in Industrial Machinery
| Component | Application | Exposure Level |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment insulation | Heat containment | High |
| Gaskets | Equipment sealing | High |
| Packing materials | Shaft seals | High |
| Brake systems | Equipment brakes | Moderate |
| Clutch components | Power transmission | Moderate |
How Millwrights Were Exposed
Machinery Installation
Millwrights installed equipment with asbestos components:
- Positioning machinery with insulated housings
- Connecting equipment to insulated piping
- Installing heat shields and barriers
- Setting up equipment in asbestos-filled facilities
Maintenance and Repair
Regular maintenance involved asbestos exposure:
- Removing and replacing gaskets
- Repacking pump and valve stems
- Servicing brake and clutch systems
- Accessing equipment through insulated enclosures
Millwrights frequently replaced gaskets on industrial equipment. Scraping old gaskets and cutting new ones from asbestos sheet material released significant fibers.
Work Environments
Millwrights worked in:
- Power plants: Turbines and generators
- Steel mills: Rolling mills, furnaces
- Paper mills: Processing equipment
- Oil refineries: Pumps and compressors
- Manufacturing plants: Production machinery
Related Occupations
Millwrights worked alongside:
- Pipefitters — Pipe systems
- Electricians — Equipment wiring
- Maintenance workers — Facility maintenance
- Operating engineers — Equipment operation
- Welders — Equipment repair
Health Consequences
Millwrights are at elevated risk for:
- Mesothelioma: Cancer of the chest or abdominal lining
- Asbestosis: Progressive lung scarring
- Lung cancer: Especially combined with smoking
- Pleural disease: Thickening of lung lining
Legal Options
Millwrights diagnosed with mesothelioma may pursue:
Asbestos Trust Funds
Manufacturers of industrial gaskets and equipment have established trusts.
Additional Claims
- Product liability lawsuits: Against gasket and equipment manufacturers
- Premises liability: Against facility owners
- VA benefits: For military service exposure
- Workers’ compensation: Through employer coverage