Worthington-Simpson, the pump manufacturing organization affiliated with the Worthington Pump and Machinery Corporation and its UK partner Simpson & Company, produced centrifugal pumps and condensate extraction pumps for steam power plant applications including United States Navy steam propulsion plant service. Worthington-Simpson pump assemblies were installed in Navy steam propulsion plants as condensate extraction pumps removing condensate from main propulsion condensers and as feedwater transfer pumps in the feedwater heating train. The Worthington-Simpson pump line extended the Worthington Corporation’s pump manufacturing capability with designs optimized for the condensate extraction and low-pressure feedwater transfer service required by naval steam propulsion plants. According to asbestos litigation records, Worthington-Simpson pump assemblies incorporated asbestos-containing shaft packing in pump shaft stuffing boxes and asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at pump casing cover flanges, creating exposure for Machinist’s Mates who performed condensate system pump maintenance in naval vessel engine rooms and auxiliary machinery spaces.

Worthington-Simpson Pump Asbestos

Worthington-Simpson pump assemblies incorporated asbestos in shaft and casing sealing:

  • Condensate pump shaft stuffing box packing — Worthington-Simpson centrifugal condensate pumps incorporated asbestos-containing braided packing in the pump shaft stuffing boxes sealing the pump shaft where it exited the pump casing. Machinist’s Mates repacking Worthington-Simpson condensate pump shaft stuffing boxes removed and replaced the asbestos-containing shaft packing material during each repacking operation, with direct handling of worn asbestos packing during removal releasing asbestos fiber in the confined engineering space
  • Pump casing cover gaskets — Worthington-Simpson pump casings incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at pump casing cover flanges. Machinist’s Mates removing Worthington-Simpson pump casing covers for impeller inspection or wear ring replacement encountered and replaced the asbestos-containing casing cover gasket material during each pump casing access operation
  • Suction and discharge flange gaskets — the suction and discharge connection flanges on Worthington-Simpson centrifugal pumps incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the pump flange faces. Machinist’s Mates servicing condensate pump suction and discharge piping connections encountered asbestos gasket materials at pump flanges during piping maintenance

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Worthington-Simpson Products

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Machinist’s Mates who performed pump maintenance on Worthington-Simpson pump installations in naval vessel steam propulsion plants and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.