Product Description
Marion Power Shovel Company of Marion, Ohio, built the giant stripping shovels and walking draglines that removed overburden at Midwestern and Appalachian surface coal mines. According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, the hoist, drag, and swing brakes on Marion machines allegedly used asbestos-fiber brake blocks and band-brake linings sized to arrest rope drums and swing gears under multi-thousand-ton bucket loads. Braking heat allegedly baked asbestos wear dust onto the machinery-house decks.
Workers Exposed
Dragline and shovel operators seated adjacent to the hoist-brake housings, oilers walking the machinery deck, and mine mechanics changing brake blocks in the pit or shop allegedly inhaled asbestos dust released during braking cycles and block-renewal work. Blowdown of brake compartments with compressed air allegedly resuspended settled fibers.