Product Description

Long-Airdox — the West Virginia-rooted supplier of underground coal-mining machinery — allegedly built roof-bolting machines whose hydraulic drill heads, feed cylinders, and pump shafts were sealed with asbestos-fiber braided packing rings and asbestos-composite gaskets. According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, the packing allegedly maintained hydraulic pressure at the drill-head under the wet, abrasive conditions of coal-roof drilling. Repacking a leaking gland at the face allegedly disturbed friable asbestos fiber.

Workers Exposed

Roof-bolter operators at the working face, underground miners working alongside bolter crews, and mine mechanics repacking hydraulic glands during maintenance shifts allegedly inhaled asbestos dust released from used packing rings and gasket surfaces during teardown and re-assembly.