🏗️ Requesting Shipyard & Base Work Orders and Maintenance Records

Proving Asbestos Use in Military Facilities

Many veterans with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos during base or shipyard maintenance, refits, or repair projects. Official work orders and maintenance records can directly prove asbestos use at those locations — identifying where, when, and how exposure occurred. These documents provide powerful, verifiable evidence for VA disability, asbestos trust-fund, and civil lawsuit claims.

📞 Need help locating historical work orders or facility records? Call 800.291.0963 for free assistance in gathering documentation.

🧭 Step 1 – Why Maintenance Records Matter

Work orders document the day-to-day maintenance performed on ships, bases, and industrial facilities. Many include specific references to asbestos insulation, pipe wrapping, or boiler repair materials.

Key uses:

• ⚙️ Verify asbestos use at your assigned shipyard or base.

• 🧱 Prove exposure during maintenance or retrofit projects.

• 💬 Support service connection in VA claims.

• 🧾 Link your MOS or job duties to known asbestos materials.

Goal: Use maintenance records to create a clear timeline of exposure.

📁 Step 2 – What Types of Records to Request

Each military branch kept detailed logs of repair and renovation work.

Request these document types:

• 🧾 Work Orders (DD Form 1348): Itemized repair or construction orders.

• ⚙️ Maintenance Logs: Daily notes from engineering or facilities divisions.

• 🧱 Equipment Service Records: Boiler, HVAC, or turbine maintenance sheets.

• 💨 Insulation Replacement Records: Reports documenting asbestos removal or installation.

• 🧰 Base Engineering Reports: Files from the Public Works Department or Bureau of Yards and Docks.

Goal: Gather multiple record types showing asbestos-related activities at your work site.

⚓ Step 3 – Where to Request Shipyard and Base Records

Most historical maintenance records are archived with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) or Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC).

Where to start:

• 🏛️ Visit www.archives.gov/research/military.

• ⚙️ Search by shipyard name or base location (e.g., Norfolk, Bremerton, Pearl Harbor).

• 💬 Request “Maintenance & Facilities Division” records for the relevant years.

• 🧾 For Navy records, contact NAVFAC Atlantic or NAVFAC Pacific.

Goal: Access historical repair and engineering logs that confirm asbestos material use.

🧱 Step 4 – Major Asbestos Shipyards and Bases With Record Archives

Some U.S. military shipyards and bases were documented as heavy asbestos exposure sites.

Examples include:

• ⚓ Norfolk Naval Shipyard (VA) – Insulation and boiler maintenance.

• ⚓ Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (WA) – Ship refitting and asbestos lagging.

• ⚓ Charleston Naval Shipyard (SC) – Pipe and turbine repair facilities.

• 🪖 Fort Bragg (NC) – Barracks and boiler room asbestos insulation.

• ✈️ Wright-Patterson AFB (OH) – Aircraft hangar and mechanical repair areas.

Goal: Identify which facilities you worked at and request associated maintenance records.

💼 Step 5 – How to Request Records From the Navy or DoD

Process:

1. 🧾 Write a formal records request addressed to NAVFAC or NARA.

2. ⚙️ Include shipyard/base name, approximate service dates, and department if known.

3. 💬 Specify “maintenance logs,” “work orders,” or “engineering reports.”

4. 🕊️ Ask for asbestos-related repair and construction details from the relevant period.

Goal: Receive detailed documents showing asbestos use in maintenance operations.

🩺 Step 6 – Using Maintenance Records in Claims

Once obtained, these records can be pivotal in both VA and trust-fund claims.

Applications:

• ⚖️ Attach copies to your VA disability claim as supporting evidence.

• 🧾 Highlight asbestos-related work at your ship or base.

• 💬 Provide to your attorney for manufacturer identification.

• 🧱 Use alongside MOS and deck log evidence for maximum impact.

Goal: Combine facility records with your service documentation to solidify proof of exposure.

🧠 Step 7 – If Work Orders or Logs Are Missing

Older documents may have been destroyed, misfiled, or classified.

Alternate sources:

• 🧾 “Asbestos Abatement Project Reports” filed during later renovations.

• ⚙️ Ship or base blueprints identifying asbestos materials.

• 💬 Testimony from co-workers or supervisors.

• 🏗️ Manufacturer installation manuals archived in NARA’s industrial collection.

Goal: Reconstruct the asbestos history of your workplace through secondary sources.

🌈 Step 8 – Confirming Asbestos Use in Building Materials

Many shipyard and base maintenance records list specific products.

Commonly documented materials:

• 💨 Pipe insulation (Johns-Manville, Eagle-Picher, Owens Corning).

• ⚙️ Boiler lagging and gaskets (Garlock, Flexitallic).

• 🧱 Fireproofing and spray coatings.

• 🧰 HVAC and ceiling insulation sheets.

Goal: Identify brand names in maintenance logs to link exposure to specific asbestos manufacturers.

💬 Step 9 – Organizing and Submitting Maintenance Evidence

Best practices:

• 🗂️ Keep copies of all correspondence with NARA or NAVFAC.

• 🧾 Highlight asbestos references in yellow.

• 💬 Number each page for easy cross-reference with your claim.

• 📞 Call 800.291.0963 for assistance assembling your evidence package.

Goal: Submit a clean, organized documentation set to expedite claim approval.

🕊️ Step 10 – Working With Experienced Asbestos Attorneys

Attorneys who handle asbestos cases routinely access these archives for veterans.

They can:

• 🧭 Locate work orders by ship, base, or project.

• ⚙️ Identify asbestos products by brand and manufacturer.

• 🏦 File multiple trust-fund claims for faster payouts.

• 🕊️ Ensure VA benefits are not reduced by civil settlements.

Goal: Maximize recovery by leveraging both historical and legal documentation.

🤝 Where to Get Help

Our advocates specialize in locating shipyard and base work orders, ensuring your asbestos exposure is fully documented.

📞 Call 800.291.0963 today for free, personalized record retrieval help.

🧭 Summary

Shipyard and base work orders and maintenance records provide direct, verifiable proof of asbestos exposure. These documents—often archived with NAVFAC or NARA—can link your military job duties to asbestos-containing materials used during your service. Combined with MOS and deck log data, they form an unshakable foundation for your claim.

Your service maintained the fleet. These records maintain your right to justice.
800.291.0963