Louisiana Steelworkers and Mesothelioma
Many steelworkers in the 20th century faced exposure to asbestos, a commonly used insulation material at the time. For Louisiana steelworkers, asbestos exposure on the job occurred from working around other tradespeople using asbestos products at job sites like steel mills, chemical plants, fertilizer plants, oil refineries, paper mills, and power plants.
Last Updated:
- May 12, 2025
Key Facts About Steelworkers
Asbestos Exposure Risk:
High
Causes of Exposure:
Worked around other trades using asbestos in their work.
Asbestos Products:
Almost none. They worked around other trades using asbestos products.
Job Sites:
Oil refineries, chemical plants, power plants, paper mills, and more.
Local Branches:
Steelworkers Local 13-555 (Sulphur) Steelworkers Local 13-12 (Baton Rouge) Steelworkers Local 8363 (Chalmette)
Compensation Available:
Yes, if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, colon cancer, or asbestosis.
How Were Steelworkers Exposed to Asbestos?
Steelworkers were at the highest risk of asbestos exposure when working around other trades that used asbestos in their work, such as boiler workers and insulation workers that directly handled the material. Steelworkers did not often have direct, hands-on exposure. Asbestos fibers do not just affect those handling asbestos products–they float in the air invisibly and can subject any trade on a job site to asbestos exposure.
- Our Sponsor, Baron & Budd, P.C.
The Role of Asbestos in Steel Manufacturing
Asbestos was abundant in facilities, machinery, and equipment used to manufacture steel because of its heat and fire resistance. It was used in steel mill equipment, such as the following:
- Hot blast stoves, ovens, and furnaces
- Rolling mills
- Tanks and boilers
- Cranes
- Molding boards
- Steam piping systems
- Protective clothing
Workers could inhale or ingest asbestos fibers during the steel manufacturing process while feeding vessels scrap metal by crane, controlling machinery to melt the scrap metal, and adding other metal to give it the required chemical composition.
Asbestos Products Exposed to Steelworkers
Asbestos-containing materials were used in constructing steel mills, and the mineral could be found in floor and ceiling tiles, liner boards, refractory bricks on hot tops, asbestos cement, insulation inside equipment, and machine parts. In addition, the following also contained asbestos:
- Steel piping systems
- Pipe insulation
- Spray-on asbestos materials
- Protective clothing
- Steel molds
- Boilers
- Gaskets
- Fireproof clothing
- Furnaces
- Ovens
Studies show that asbestos was mainly used in steelmaking for gaskets, brakes, cloth, refractory materials, insulation, and hot-top products. However, the intense heat in steel mills often caused asbestos materials to degrade.
Did You Know?
Steel and metal workers would spray or coat metals with an asbestos finish to make them more durable and fire-resistant. Steel pipes also contained up to 15% asbestos.
Manufacturing Companies of Asbestos Products Used by Steelworkers
Several manufacturing companies may potentially be responsible for exposing steelworkers to asbestos in Louisiana. Some steel companies, like US Steel and Bethlehem Steel, have come under scrutiny by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for failing to protect workers from asbestos. Manufacturers of asbestos-containing products encountered by steelworkers include the following:
- Johns-Manville
- Garlock
- Owens-Corning
- Flexitallic Gasket Co.
- W.R. Grace & Co.
- A.P. Green Industries Inc.
- Harbison-Walker Industries
- North American Refractories Co. (NARCO)
- Kaiser Aluminum Chemical Corp.
- Keene Corp.
Where Did Exposure Occur for Steelworkers in Louisiana?
Many steelworkers in Louisiana have been exposed to asbestos, specifically while working at Bayou Steel Corp. However, they were also likely exposed at job sites other than steel mills. Some other job sites that could have exposed workers to asbestos fibers include the following:
Questions About Mesothelioma?
Many steelworkers are uncertain about what steps to take after receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Support From the Local Unions in Louisiana
The United Steelworkers Union is North America’s largest industrial union, representing 1.2 million union workers and retirees in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. The union also has an international presence in the United Kingdom and Mexico. USW represents workers in every industry across many local lodges, including the following in Louisiana:
Steelworker Unions and Locals in Louisiana Include:
- Local 13-555 in Sulphur
- Local 13-12 in Baton Rouge
- Local 13-447 in Westwego
- Local 13-620 in Gonzales
- Local 8363 in Chalmette
Local unions help steelworkers with mesothelioma by providing educational materials and having law firms like our sponsor, Baron & Budd, P.C., speak to their membership about possible exposure, how to avoid it, and treatment options.
If you have any questions, please contact the office of the AFL-CIO of Louisiana for assistance.
Our Sponsor
Baron & Budd, P.C. is an officially endorsed provider and Occupational Disease Counsel for the AFL-CIO of Louisiana and all Affiliated Local Unions. The firm’s members have cultivated long-standing friendships and business relationships with the Local leadership and members. They are frequently invited to present information on mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestos exposures to the Retiree Clubs and active members.
Compensation for Steelworkers with Mesothelioma
When steelworkers inhaled or ingested asbestos on the job, the tiny fibers would become lodged in the lining of their lungs and other organs, eventually causing diseases like mesothelioma decades later. Louisiana steelworkers diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness and their families may be entitled to compensation.
1) Mesothelioma Lawsuits: Workers sickened by asbestos may be eligible to sue those responsible for their exposure. Through mesothelioma lawsuits, these workers can seek compensation for their medical bills, current and future treatment costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
2) Asbestos Trust Funds: Many asbestos product manufacturers set up asbestos trust funds to compensate those who developed asbestos-related illnesses from their products. Workers may be eligible to file a claim for compensation from multiple of these asbestos trust funds.
Over $3 Million Settlement for Metalworker Exposed to Asbestos
Our sponsor, Baron & Budd, P.C., recovered $3,054,319.25 for a Louisiana welder and his family. The welder was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 51. In addition to his asbestos exposure at various shipyards and industrial sites, he was exposed to asbestos brought into his childhood home by a sheet metal worker and a welder he lived with.
Results are not guaranteed and vary.
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Contact Louisiana Mesothelioma Advocates
If you or a loved one worked as a steelworker in Louisiana and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, Louisiana Mesothelioma Advocates can help provide information. We will connect you with our sponsor, Baron & Budd, P.C., who can direct you to the best physicians for your treatment and help you identify the best routes to compensation. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, so it’s critical to move quickly.
Content Reviewed by
Todd Kale
Todd Kale meets with mesothelioma patients and their families across Louisiana to investigate their asbestos exposure, providing compassionate support and guidance during a difficult time.