Lorain Assembly workers in Lorain, Ohio could have been at an increased risk of toxic exposure as a result of asbestos and other toxins at the workplace. Many staff at various Ford Motor plants faced an occupational toxic exposure risk due to use of asbestos in the facilities and auto parts.
Lorain Assembly opened in 1958 and eventually closed in 2005, but only after it employed thousands of Ohio workers and produced around 8,000,000 vehicles. Production of the later Ford models moved to Ohio Assembly in Avon Lake, Ohio.
At Lorain Assembly, the models produced included the following:
1958–1959 Ford Galaxie
1958–1965 Ford F-Series
1958–1979 Ford Ranchero
1960–1967 Ford Falcon/Mercury Comet
1961–2005 Ford Econoline
1964–1971 Mercury Cyclone
1966–1970 Ford Fairlane
1968–1976 Mercury Montego
1971–1976 Ford Torino / Gran Torino
1974–1976 Ford Elite
1977–1979 Ford LTD II
1977–1997 Mercury Cougar
1980–1997 Ford Thunderbird
Many Ford auto plant workers who handled and installed brake linings and transmissions that were made with asbestos. The toxic dust from the parts could have been ingested and inhaled and subsequently lodged in lung tissues, leading to scarring and lung cancer risk. Asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma are caused by direct asbestos exposure and many auto plant workers across the country later fell ill and were diagnosed with occupational cancers. A study published nearly by the Journal of Occupational Medicine concluded automobile makers had an increased risk of certain cancers.
Employers may have been aware of health safety risks at some point in the 1970s when medical experts warned the public about the serious nature of asbestos exposure, and yet many workers in the Lorain Assembly plant were still working around toxic materials. The Lyon Firm has filed numerous asbestos cancer cases and holds companies accountable when they fail to protect employees.
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated asbestos cancer and toxic tort attorney representing Lorain Assembly workers in mesothelioma and lung cancer claims.
Lorain Assembly Plant Asbestos
Auto parts were commonly manufactured with asbestos because the material was effective at reducing the heat with friction of brakes and transmission. But like many other manufactured components, auto parts break down over time and asbestos dust can endanger those installing or repairing automobiles. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has long advised mechanics and auto plant workers to take precautions, even if management fails to do so. Auto plant positions considered at a particularly high risk include:
- Mechanics
- Brake and Clutch assemblers
- Insulators
- Machinists
- Warehouse part pickers
- Lathe operators
- Drill press operators
- Grinding operators—workers polishing product surfaces
- Assembly line workers
- Maintenance Crews
Auto parts that continually posed a health threat included the following:
- Adhesives
- Automatic Transmission
- Brake Linings
- Clutch Linings
- Disc Brakes
- Drum Brakes
- Engine housing
- Manual Transmission
- Hood liners
- Clutches
- Gaskets
- Heat Seals
- Valve Rings
- Brake shoes
