Product Description
Jeffrey Manufacturing Company of Columbus, Ohio, built the coal-cutting machines that undercut the working face ahead of blasting and loading. According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, Jeffrey undercutters and their cutter-chain drive systems allegedly used asbestos-reinforced woven fabric drive belts and asbestos friction-clutch facings to transmit motor torque to the cutter bar under stalling loads. Belt splices and clutch shoes allegedly wore fibrous asbestos dust into the low-seam working environment.
Workers Exposed
Coal miners running the undercutter, mine mechanics splicing worn drive belts, and millwrights re-facing slipping clutches allegedly generated and inhaled asbestos-laden dust in the confined face area. Belt-splice sanding and clutch-facing riveting operations allegedly released respirable fibers.