⚓ U.S. Navy — Rating Exposure Profile
Electrician's Mate (EM) — Asbestos Exposure
Last updated July 11, 2026
Electrician's Mates maintained the electrical distribution systems, switchboards, and motor-generator sets throughout Navy ships. Their work took them into electrical panels installed behind asbestos insulation, and they routinely worked in engineering spaces — running wiring through asbestos-lagged pipe runs and insulated bulkheads.
Spaces & Work Areas
Electrician's Mate (EM) sailors regularly worked in:
- Main switchboard rooms
- IC rooms
- Auxiliary machinery spaces
- Engine rooms (wire runs)
- Turret and gun mount electrical systems
How EMs Were Exposed
EMs encountered asbestos in electrical cable insulation (particularly older fiber-reinforced asbestos cable), asbestos-gasketed junction boxes, and switchboard backing panels made of asbestos millboard. Running wiring through insulated spaces and disturbing asbestos-backed panel boards released fibers. Older ships used arc chutes and cable insulation with significant asbestos content.
U.S. Navy ships built before approximately 1980 used asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials throughout their engineering plants and throughout the ship. Sailors in the Electrician's Mate (EM) rating were among those most regularly in contact with these materials.
Ship Types Where EMs Served
Electrician's Mate (EM) sailors were assigned across multiple ship types. Asbestos was used throughout all of these vessel types during the pre-1980 construction era:
VA Claims & Legal Options
EMs have a unique exposure pathway through asbestos-containing electrical insulation and switchboard materials — in addition to the general shipboard asbestos environment. Document both the shipboard spaces you worked in and any specific electrical repair work involving older wiring or panel boards.
Two Paths: VA Disability & Asbestos Trust Funds
- VA disability compensation — Monthly benefit for service-connected asbestos-related disease. Requires a diagnosis, evidence of in-service exposure (your rating and ship records), and a nexus statement linking the two.
- Asbestos trust fund claims — Lump-sum payments from bankruptcy trusts funded by asbestos product manufacturers. Requires identifying specific products used aboard your ship class. Multiple trusts may apply to a single claimant.
These paths are not mutually exclusive — many veterans pursue both.
Navy veterans overview › Free Legal Review ›
Asbestos.cam is an informational resource, not a law firm. The above is general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did electrical cable insulation contain asbestos on Navy ships?
Yes, particularly on older ships. Asbestos-reinforced electrical cable insulation (marketed as fireproof wiring) was used extensively in naval construction through the 1960s. When EMs cut, stripped, or routed this cable, they released asbestos fibers. Later ships shifted to fiberglass and polymer insulation, but ships built or last refitted before that transition retained the old wiring.
Are Electrician's Mates eligible for asbestos trust fund claims?
Yes. The unique asbestos exposures for EMs — electrical cable, switchboard materials, junction box gaskets — are covered by several trust funds including those from General Electric (for insulating materials) and various cable manufacturers. An attorney can match your ship class and duty station to specific product manufacturers.