Carrier Corporation

Carrier Corporation was founded in 1915 by Willis Carrier, the inventor of the modern air conditioner. The Carrier Corporation is a manufacturer of heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment. In 1937, Carrier Corporation relocated to the west side of Syracuse, New York from Newark, New Jersey. By the late 1940’s, Carrier outgrew its west side location, and in 1947, it moved to a new facility on Thompson Road in Dewitt, New York. In 1979, United Technologies Corporation acquired Carrier Corporation. In 2004, Carrier ceased its manufacturing operations at the Thompson Road facility, and it moved its operations to facilities in Stone Mountain, Georgia and China. Carrier Corporation’s research and development and customer support divisions remain in operation at the Thompson Road facility.

Asbestos-containing pipe covering, block insulation, packing material, insulating cement and gaskets were utilized during maintenance and repair procedures at Carrier. Workers who applied and removed asbestos-containing materials are at risk for developing mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Steam was used during manufacturing processes, and it was also used to heat buildings throughout the plant. A system of pipes delivered steam to radiators and manufacturing equipment. Asbestos-containing insulation was applied to boilers, pumps, valves and pipes. Workers who performed maintenance or repairs within the steam system removed asbestos insulation in order to gain access to the equipment. New insulation was applied when these procedures were completed. The process of removing and applying insulation to equipment in the steam system caused asbestos-containing dust to become airborne.

Workers at Carrier utilized asbestos-containing gaskets in order to ensure a tight seal between flanges on pipes, pumps and valves. Gaskets were fabricated from large sheets of asbestos-containing material. Cutting gasket material emitted asbestos fibers into the air. During maintenance and repair procedures within pipe systems and pumps, gaskets were removed and replaced. Scraping or removing gaskets also emitted asbestos-containing dust.

Asbestos-containing packing material was used to prevent leaks from valve stems and pump shafts. Workers replaced packing material during maintenance and repairs. Old packing material was pulled from pump and valve glands using a tool called a packing puller. New packing material was cut and manipulated to fit the diameter of the stem or shaft. Removing and installing packing material caused asbestos-containing dust and fibers to become airborne, which workers inhaled.

Inhaling dust and particles from the application of asbestos-containing materials placed workers at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. Even those who were not in direct contact with asbestos materials remain at risk for developing an asbestos-related disease. If you or a loved one worked at Carrier Corporation and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, please contact us for a free and confidential case evaluation.