Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was one of the United States’ largest diversified industrial equipment manufacturers, supplying steam turbines, hydroelectric generators, electrical switchgear, and motor control equipment to the US Navy for both shipboard propulsion systems and naval shore facility power generation and distribution. Allis-Chalmers supplied steam turbine generators to Navy shipyards and naval shore installations for power generation, and supplied electrical switchgear — including circuit breakers, motor control centers, and switchboard equipment — to naval shore facilities and for installation in naval vessels. Allis-Chalmers electrical switchgear used asbestos arc chutes in circuit breakers and asbestos-containing insulating components in motor controllers consistent with mid-twentieth century electrical equipment construction. Allis-Chalmers turbine equipment used asbestos insulation on turbine casings and steam distribution components as required by thermal management specifications. Navy Electrician’s Mates, Interior Communications Electricians, and turbine operators working with Allis-Chalmers equipment in naval vessels and shore facilities accumulated asbestos exposure from these asbestos-containing components.

Electrical Switchgear and Asbestos

Allis-Chalmers electrical equipment used asbestos materials:

  • Circuit breaker arc chutes — Allis-Chalmers circuit breakers used asbestos arc chutes in the circuit interruption chambers to quench the electrical arc generated during fault current interruption. Electrician’s Mates performing circuit breaker maintenance, testing, and arc chute replacement on Allis-Chalmers breakers in naval shore facility switchgear rooms and naval vessel electrical switchboards released asbestos fiber from the asbestos arc chute materials during maintenance operations
  • Motor control center insulating components — Allis-Chalmers motor control centers and motor starters used asbestos-containing insulating components in the electrical assembly consistent with mid-century motor control equipment construction. Navy Electrician’s Mates maintaining motor control equipment for naval facility and ship service loads worked with these asbestos-containing motor control components
  • Switchboard and distribution equipment — Allis-Chalmers switchboard and electrical distribution equipment supplied to naval facilities used asbestos-containing insulating materials in the switchboard construction

Turbine Equipment and Asbestos

Allis-Chalmers turbine installations used asbestos insulation:

  • Turbine casing and steam piping insulation — Allis-Chalmers steam turbine generators installed in naval power stations and naval industrial facilities used asbestos block insulation on turbine casings and asbestos pipe covering on the high-temperature steam supply and exhaust piping associated with the turbine installations. Turbine operators and maintenance mechanics working around Allis-Chalmers turbines in naval power facilities accumulated asbestos exposure from the turbine and steam system insulation

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Allis-Chalmers Products

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from Navy electrical and mechanical equipment. Electrician’s Mates, Interior Communications Electricians, and other Navy personnel who maintained Allis-Chalmers switchgear or turbine equipment in naval facilities and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.