Asbestos Exposure at Ashland Oil in Kentucky

Ashland Oil started in Kentucky a hundred years ago. Over the years, it grew thanks to purchasing other companies, then re-focused its business, and currently has about 3,800 employees. Many past employees and contractors were exposed to asbestos in its facilities and refineries. If that happened to you or a loved one and it led to an asbestos-related disease, Satterley & Kelley, PLLC may help you obtain compensation for the harm you suffered.

What was Ashland Oil?

Ashland Oil was formed in 1924 in Catlettsburg and was originally named the Ashland Refining Company. That town is the site of a Marathon Oil refinery that the company originally constructed.

The original refinery grew and was greatly expanded by the federal government because of the need for aviation fuel during World War II, according to the Ashland Community and Technical College. Ashland, at one time, owned six refineries and thousands of miles of crude oil pipelines. It merged its refining and marketing operations with USX Marathon Group in 1997 to create Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC, the country’s sixth-largest petroleum refiner.

Ashland Oil changed its name to Ashland Inc. in 1995 and is now headquartered in Delaware. It left its former headquarters in Ashland in 1985. Asbestos abatement started in 2022 before the structure could be safely demolished. The company now describes itself as an “additives and specialty ingredients company.”

Catlettsburg Refinery

If you worked as a contractor or Ashland employee at this facility, you may have been exposed to asbestos, which was widely used up until the early 1980s. Asbestos has many qualities that make it attractive for use in refineries, including the fact it’s:

• Highly resistant to heat and flames. In oil refineries, where high temperatures are used for various processes such as distillation and cracking, asbestos was used to insulate equipment and structures to prevent heat loss and ensure safety
• Resistant to many chemicals, including those found in the refining process. It was used to line pipes, tanks, and other equipment to protect them from corrosion caused by acidic or caustic substances
• Strong and durable. Its use in insulation materials and protective clothing provided durability and longevity, making it suitable for the harsh conditions found in oil refineries
• Resistant to electricity, so it’s useful in electrical components and wiring within refineries

Some of the asbestos products used at a refinery could include the following:

• Asbestos was commonly used as insulation in oil refineries to prevent heat loss and maintain temperature control in various processes. It was used in the form of asbestos-containing insulation boards, blankets, ropes, tapes, and spray-applied insulation coatings, which were installed around pipes, ducts, and other equipment
• Given its high resistance to heat and flames, asbestos-containing materials were used for fireproofing. This included asbestos-containing fireproof coatings applied to structural steel, concrete, and other surfaces to prevent the spread of fires
• Asbestos-containing gaskets and packing materials were used in pumps, valves, and other equipment to create seals and prevent leaks. These gaskets and packing materials were often made of asbestos-containing cloth
• Asbestos was used in various forms of personal protective equipment worn by workers in oil refineries, such as asbestos-containing gloves, aprons, coveralls, and masks. These items provided protection against heat, flames, and chemical exposure

Anyone in the area when these materials were installed, torn, cut, drilled into, or removed could be exposed to asbestos fibers that became airborne. Fibers from these products could also be inhaled or ingested after they were released because the products aged, deteriorated, or frayed.

Ashland Oil Headquarters

If you worked in the company headquarters in Ashland or any of its offices you may also have been exposed to asbestos. You may have installed, modified, or removed it as a contractor or as a maintenance employee. Those working in offices may have been exposed indirectly as this work was done or when asbestos products released fibers as they aged and gradually fell apart.

Asbestos products were used in office buildings for many purposes, including:

• Asbestos is highly resistant to fire, so it was an ideal material for fireproofing. Asbestos-containing materials, such as spray-applied fireproofing coatings, were used to protect structural steel and other building components to slow the spread of structure fires
• Asbestos has excellent thermal insulation properties, making it useful for insulating pipes, boilers, ducts, and other office building systems. Asbestos-containing insulation materials helped to conserve energy by reducing heat loss and maintaining temperature control
• Asbestos-containing materials were also used for soundproofing. Asbestos insulation boards and tiles were installed in walls, ceilings, and floors to dampen sound and reduce noise transmission between rooms or floors
• Asbestos products are durable and resistant to wear and tear, making them suitable for use in various building materials such as floor tiles, roofing materials, and specialty cement. Asbestos-containing materials are long-lasting which reduces the need for maintenance or replacement
• Asbestos was once an inexpensive and cost-effective building material (if you don’t consider the costs of the illnesses and deaths it caused), compared to alternative materials

Those who worked directly with asbestos products may return home with asbestos on their work clothes, spreading fibers into their homes where family members could swallow or breathe them in.

Get Help Today

After being diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you should focus on your health, while we help you obtain compensation for the harm you suffer. Based in Kentucky, Satterley & Kelley, PLLC represents clients who were exposed to asbestos in this state, and we will leverage our knowledge and experience to get the best results possible for you. To get help now, contact us online or call us at 855-385-9532 today for a free consultation.