Also referred to as the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the Bremerton Naval Shipyard located in western Washington is the biggest, most active and most versatile shipyard on the U.S West Coast. Since its inception in 1891, the Bremerton Naval Shipyard has expanded in size and capabilities, currently making it Washington's second largest industry.
However, while the Bremerton Naval Shipyard plays a key role in the military and significantly boosts Washington's economy, it also exposes its thousands of workers to the carcinogenic substance known as asbestos. Because studies show that most experienced shipyard workers will develop an asbestos disease after 20 years in the industry, anyone working at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard (or any other shipyard, for that matter) should:
- be aware of asbestos risks
- follow asbestos safety regulations
- seek immediate medical care upon diagnosis of an asbestos-related condition
Location and Size of Bremerton Naval Shipyard
Bremerton, Washington is located on the Kitsap Peninsula approximately 1 hour by ferry from Seattle. On well over 600 acres of land (327 of which is hard land and 338 of which is underwater land), the Bremerton Naval Shipyard consists of:
- 382 buildings (that total over 6 million square feet)
- 9 piers
- 6 drydocks (one of which is the largest drydock on the West Coast)
- over 10,500 civilian workers
- over 300 military workers
Having been active for over 200 years, the Bremerton Naval Shipyard has been a key naval facility during:
- World War I
- World War II
- Korean War
What the Bremerton Naval Shipyard Does
Over the years, the Bremerton Naval Shipyard has taken on more and more responsibilities so that it can:
- build various types of ships (including submarines, aircraft carriers, ocean tugs, ammunition ships and small boats)
- store ships when not in use
- repair, renovate or modernize ships
- repair and house nuclear vessels
- provide back-up emergency power to all vessels in case of a power outage or another type of crisis
Asbestos Exposure at Shipyards
Like any shipyard, the Bremerton Naval Shipyard exposes workers to asbestos as they come into contact with:
- drywall and other wallboards
- electrical and hot water piping insulation
- fire-resistant equipment (including clothing or blankets)
- industrial boilers and incinerators
- ropes and other textiles
- sealants and certain varieties of spray coatings
- shingles and tiles
Whether building, repairing or breaking down watercraft, shipyard workers are generally at a higher risk of hazardous asbestos exposure – more so than other industrial workers – because:
- They regularly work with a variety of asbestos-laden materials.
- They tend to work in poorly ventilated, cramped spaces where asbestos fibers stay airborne for longer periods of time.
- In the construction and/or demolition process, they are naturally disturbing asbestos fibers, which also causes these toxic particles to remain airborne when they may otherwise not be.
After years of asbestos exposure, shipyard workers can develop a number of potentially fatal cancers, ranging from mesothelioma to lung cancer. If you are a former shipyard worker who has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, contact us today to learn more about your options.
