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Did you work with A.O. Smith Corporation — commercial and residential water heaters, glass-fused-to-steel Harvestore agricultural silos, and other steel-tank? According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, it allegedly contained asbestos. Here is what it was, who was exposed, and who is responsible. A.O. Smith Corporation — commercial and residential water heaters, glass-fused-to-steel Harvestore agricultural silos, and other steel-tank, sold from 1936 until 1985 (asbestos era). Plaintiffs alleged that A.O. Smith water heaters and Harvestore silo/tank manufacturing lines used asbestos-containing gaskets, insulation blankets, and furnace lagging during the asbestos era. PRODUCT and PREMISES — Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that A.O. Smith commercial and residential water heaters manufactured through the asbestos era were assembled with asbestos-containing gaskets on flanges and cleanout doors, and with asbestos-containing insulation blanket wrap between the tank and outer jacket. Plaintiffs further alleged premises-based exposure inside A.O. Smith manufacturing plants and Harvestore silo fabrication lines during the asbestos era from insulated ovens, curing furnaces, welding-line lagging, and glass-fusing furnaces, where asbestos-containing gaskets, insulation, refractory, and PPE were allegedly present. Workers allegedly exposed around this product included Plumber, Pipefitter, HVAC Service Technician, and Boilermaker. Asbestos claims are brought against the companies that made the products. If you worked with or around A.O. Smith Corporation — commercial and residential water heaters, glass-fused-to-steel Harvestore agricultural silos, and other steel-tank and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, you may have a legal claim against the manufacturer. This is educational information from an independent publisher — not a law firm — and is not legal advice.
Product Description
Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that A.O. Smith Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, manufactured commercial and residential water heaters and glass-fused-to-steel Harvestore agricultural silos, along with related steel-tank and pressure-vessel products, during the asbestos era. Allegedly, commercial gas- and oil-fired water heaters were assembled with asbestos-containing gaskets on flue collectors, burner mounts, and cleanout doors, and with an asbestos-containing insulation blanket wrapped between the inner steel tank and the outer painted jacket to reduce standby heat loss.
Plaintiffs further alleged that plumbers, pipefitters, boilermakers, HVAC service mechanics, and maintenance workers who serviced, dismantled, or scrapped A.O. Smith commercial water heaters cut, tore, or otherwise disturbed the asbestos-containing blanket wrap and gasket materials, releasing chrysotile fiber into the breathing zone. Plaintiffs further alleged premises exposure inside A.O. Smith plants during the asbestos era in glass-fusing furnaces, welding lines, curing ovens, and insulation stations used to fabricate Harvestore silos and steel tanks.
Workers Exposed
- Plumbers and pipefitters installing, servicing, and dismantling A.O. Smith commercial water heaters
- HVAC service technicians opening burner assemblies and cleanout doors
- Boilermakers and maintenance mechanics disturbing insulation blanket and gasket material
- Scrap and demolition workers cutting apart end-of-life commercial water heaters
- A.O. Smith plant workers running glass-fusing furnaces, curing ovens, and welding lines during silo/tank fabrication
- Maintenance/millwright crews inside A.O. Smith plants working on insulated ovens and steam piping