Blaw-Knox Company — Asbestos in Navy Structural and Industrial Equipment
By Rights Watch Media Group LLC
•June 22, 2026
•
2 min read
Blaw-Knox Company, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a diversified industrial manufacturer producing structural steel components, industrial processing equipment, and specialized machinery for construction, shipbuilding, and industrial plant applications. Blaw-Knox equipment appeared in naval shipyard operations and in Navy facility and shipyard construction — with Navy workers and civilian shipyard employees encountering Blaw-Knox industrial equipment in Navy shipyard and construction applications.
Asbestos in Blaw-Knox Industrial Equipment
Blaw-Knox industrial equipment and structural products used asbestos-containing materials in some configurations:
- Industrial equipment thermal insulation — Blaw-Knox process equipment and industrial machinery in shipyard and construction applications used asbestos insulation on heated surfaces and in equipment that operated at elevated temperatures
- Structural gaskets and seals — Blaw-Knox equipment connections and structural assembly joints used asbestos-containing gaskets and sealing materials in applications where thermal performance was required
- Shipyard material handling equipment — Blaw-Knox material handling and process equipment at naval shipyards used asbestos-containing insulation on heated components in shipyard industrial operations
Naval Shipyard Application
Blaw-Knox equipment appeared in naval shipyard industrial operations:
- Shipyard workers operating and maintaining Blaw-Knox industrial equipment at naval shipyards encountered asbestos in the equipment’s insulation and sealing materials during operation and maintenance
- Navy civilian and military personnel in shipyard industrial areas where Blaw-Knox equipment operated were in the ambient environment of industrial spaces with asbestos-containing equipment
VA Claims
VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from industrial equipment operation and maintenance at naval facilities. Navy personnel who worked with Blaw-Knox and other industrial manufacturers’ equipment with asbestos-containing materials at naval shipyards and installations and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this site. References to ships, shipyards, companies, products, and asbestos-containing materials are drawn from public VA records, NARA archives, EPA/OSHA databases, and public litigation records. All references reflect what has been documented or alleged in publicly filed records. Consult a licensed physician for medical guidance and a qualified attorney for legal advice regarding your specific situation.
Connect With a Navy Asbestos & Mesothelioma Attorney
Navy veterans and civilian shipyard workers diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may have grounds for a civil claim against the asbestos product manufacturers whose materials were installed aboard. O'Brien Law Firm represents veterans and their families in the civil track at no upfront cost — separate from any VA disability benefits you may be eligible for.
- Free case evaluation — no obligation to hire
- No attorney fee unless we make a financial recovery
- Civil claims against asbestos manufacturers & bankruptcy trust funds
- Maritime statute of limitations: 3 years from diagnosis (46 U.S.C. § 30106)
- Runs in parallel with VA benefits — civil recovery does not reduce VA disability compensation
O'Brien Law Firm
Civil mesothelioma & asbestos litigation — veterans and their families.
VA disability benefits are a separate government process. To file a VA disability claim for asbestos exposure, visit VA.gov › Hazardous Materials Exposure, call 1‑800‑827‑1000, or contact a Veterans Service Organization (DAV, VFW, American Legion) for free claim assistance.
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