Railroad Worker Asbestos Exposure

Rail travel was one of the world’s greatest innovations in transportation.  When the golden spike was driven, connecting America’s eastern and western halves via railroad, it was a time to celebrate.  Though rail travel declined greatly in the 2nd half of the 20th century, it remains one of the preferred ways to transport goods from one place to another, and some travelers still enjoy seeing the world through the windows of a train.

Railroad Workers and Asbestos

Both early steam trains and the diesel trains of later years generated lots of heat and were potential fire hazards.  Insulation was required for many parts of a train, from boilers and fireboxes to brake linings and clutches.  In fact, until the asbestos warnings were issued in the 1970s, much of the train was covered with some sort of asbestos-containing insulation material, as heat- and fire-resistance was of the utmost importance.

Records show that asbestos was also used to insulate boxcars and cabooses and was a covering for wallboards in order to protect them from heat and fire.  Floor tiles usually contained asbestos as well.

In addition, sealing cement and gaskets that were used to seal pipe joints and valves contained asbestos because of its strength as well as its fire-retardant qualities.

During the repair or maintenance of the trains, crews would remove insulation to examine parts to insure that they were in good working condition.  During the removal of the insulation, it would become damaged and fibers would be released into the air.  Re-application or re-sizing would often involve cutting, grinding, or sanding materials that contained asbestos, again releasing hazardous airborne fibers.

Virtually anyone who worked on the trains, in the yard, or in the roundhouse may have been exposed to airborne asbestos.  Are you a former or current railroad worker who’s been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease?  If so, you have legal rights pertaining to your exposure on-the-job.  For more information, order our free Mesothelioma Information Kit and learn about your options.