Machinists were exposed to asbestos through the gaskets, packing, and insulated equipment they built, maintained, and rebuilt.

How Machinists Were Exposed

Machinists cut and installed asbestos sheet gaskets and asbestos rope and braided packing on pumps, valves, and machinery, scraping old asbestos gasket material off mating surfaces by hand. They also machined asbestos-containing friction and phenolic components and worked around insulated steam and process equipment in plants, shipyards, and Navy engine rooms. Cutting gasket material and blowing out packing glands released fiber.

The Asbestos Materials — and the Products They Came In

Exposure tracked to a handful of material types. Each links to products documented in the AsbestosIndex as allegedly asbestos-containing:

Sheet gaskets — cut to shape and scraped off flanges:

Braided & rope packing — cut, packed, and blown out of stuffing boxes:

Phenolic & friction components — turned, drilled, and cut on the lathe and mill:

Insulated pumps & valves they rebuilt — see the Pumps and Valves categories.

Take-Home Risk to Families

Like other dusty trades, machinists carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, and tools — exposing spouses and children who never worked with asbestos. See take-home asbestos exposure.

Browse the full Gaskets & Packing and Phenolic Compounds categories for more.

If you worked as a machinist and were diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease after exposure to asbestos on the job, you may have a legal claim.

Product references reflect allegations documented in publicly filed asbestos litigation. This information is published by an independent media organization — not a law firm — and is educational only. It does not constitute legal advice or provide legal services.