Asbestos Exposure: California Railroad Workers

Did You Know?

Asbestos dust often escaped into the shops and repair facilities where others working in the vicinity were also exposed to asbestos contaminated air.

Many California Railroad Workers have developed asbestos related diseases while working on railroads, steam locomotives, boxcars, diesel trains, fire retardant boilers, fireboxes, steam pipes, refrigerator units, heavy duty tiles for passenger cars, and railroad brakes and clutches. All of these were lined with asbestos. Railroad companies have been held responsible for the illnesses such as Mesothelioma lung cancer, Asbestos lung cancer, and asbestosis.

California Railroad Workers – Quick Facts

• Steam locomotives and some diesels were insulated with asbestos.
• Railroad brakes and clutches provided another source of contamination.
• When locomotives were inspected, asbestos insulation was stripped off the boilers.
• Insulation was used around boxcars and cabooses, refrigeration units, pipes, and steam and hot water lines.
• Asbestos was also common in packing, rope, cement, gaskets, and in heavy duty floor tiles for passenger cars.
• Railroad mechanics were routinely exposed to asbestos, as were those who breathed asbestos–laden air nearby.
• Pipefitters and California Railroad Workers who installed insulation on locomotives, removed it, or inspected it were heavily exposed to asbestos.
• If you worked in a railroad yard or on the crew of a rail car, you were probably exposed to asbestos.

California Railroad Workers at Risk

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

Rail workers drove switching or small dinkey engines within railroad yards, industrial plants, mines and quarries, and construction projects.

Railroad Conductors

Railroad conductors supervised the activities of freight and passenger trains. Railroad conductors reviewed schedules, switching orders, waybills, and shipping records to obtain loading and unloading information regarding their cargo. Railroad conductors also coordinated activities of their crews and other passenger services.

Yardmasters

Yardmasters supervised activities of California Railroad Workers engaged in railroad traffic operations. These activities include breaking up trains and switching inbound or outbound traffic to a specific section of the line. Yardmasters inform engineers where to move the rail cars to fit the planned train configuration.

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators

Switch operators perform a variety of duties such as operating track switches to box cars to different tracks of the yard. Switch operators set up warning signals, help with coupling and uncoupling rolling stock to make up or break up trains, or inspect couplings, airhoses, and handbrakes.

Streetcar Operators

Streetcar operators drove electric-powered streetcars, trolleys, or light-rail vehicles that are similar to streetcars that transport passengers in metropolitan areas were also exposed to asbestos from brakes, hoses, boiler, insulation and refrigerated box cars.

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