Product Description

Transformer asbestos gaskets are the asbestos-containing sealing components installed at large power transformer flange joints, bushing penetrations, tap-changer interfaces, oil-conservator connections, and pressure-relief device mounts. The gaskets were allegedly manufactured from compressed asbestos sheet (CAS) — chrysotile asbestos fiber bonded with elastomeric binders — and were supplied to transformer OEMs by major U.S. gasket manufacturers including Garlock, John Crane, Anchor Packing, Klinger, and Flexitallic.

Documented Applications

Asbestos gaskets were allegedly used at virtually every flange, bushing, and removable interface on large U.S. power transformers manufactured during the 1950s-1980s asbestos era. The gaskets remained in service for decades, becoming saturated with transformer oil and brittle from heat aging — allegedly generating airborne fiber during removal and replacement during service-center rebuild operations.

Asbestos Content and Worker Exposure

Per publicly filed allegations in U.S. asbestos litigation, Transformer Asbestos Gaskets was allegedly an asbestos-bearing transformer component used by major U.S. power transformer manufacturers (Westinghouse, General Electric, Allis-Chalmers, McGraw-Edison / Pennsylvania Transformer Division, Federal Pacific, RTE, Niagara Transformer, Cooper Power Systems, and others) during the 1950s-1980s asbestos era. Asbestos exposure allegedly occurred most heavily during gasket removal at service-center rebuild operations: workers scraped, chipped, and pried aged asbestos gasket material from transformer flange surfaces, generating significant airborne fiber. Assembly-side exposure occurred during new-gasket cutting, fitting, and installation.

Workers most likely exposed include transformer-plant manufacturing workers, transformer-service-center dismantlers and rebuilders, coil winders, bushing technicians, utility substation electricians, industrial electricians, and field-service crews servicing aged transformer units.

How Workers Were Exposed

  • Transformer assembly — handling raw Transformer Asbestos Gaskets components during new-transformer winding, insulation, and assembly
  • Transformer dismantling — extracting aged Transformer Asbestos Gaskets components from field transformers during rebuild and service-center operations (highest documented exposure category)
  • Machining and trimming — drilling, sawing, and finishing operations on cured phenolic and asbestos-bearing laminate
  • Field maintenance — utility substation electricians and industrial electricians handling transformer components during in-service repair
  • Reconditioning operations — heat-baking, vacuum drying, and oil refilling of disassembled transformer units saturated with asbestos fiber

The occupational health risks associated with asbestos inhalation are well established under OSHA standards and documented by regulatory bodies including the EPA. Diseases associated with asbestos exposure include mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related conditions, which may have latency periods of decades between initial exposure and clinical diagnosis.

Workers exposed to Transformer Asbestos Gaskets at any U.S. transformer manufacturing plant, transformer service center, utility substation, or industrial facility may have legal rights if they have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956

All consultations are free. No fee unless a financial recovery is made on your behalf.