The Hendry Corporation
Tampa is home to one of the biggest and most successful ship building and repair yards in all of Florida, The Hendry Corporation. The facility was started up in 1926 and quickly won contracts from both commercial and military sources.
As the Hendry Corporation began to flourish and grow, more and more workers were brought in to meet the demands for repairs and new vessels. The employees worked at a fast pace to keep up with the various projects, and they toiled in a dangerous environment. There are many hazards associated with the large equipments and dangerous machinery that is found at every shipyard. Sadly, there was another very serious and unexpected hazard within the Hendry Corporation facility. It was found within a variety of products such as insulation, rubber gaskets and other items that contained the mineral known as asbestos.
Asbestos was one of the most commonly used materials in the United States for several decades, because it is tough, long lasting and heat resistant. Products that were made out of asbestos could also survive a small fire, and even help to stop the spread of flames. All of these attributes made the mineral extremely popular until it was finally proven to be poisonous.
When people work with asbestos, they are very likely to inhale the microscopic fibers that tend to break off and float in the air. The fibers then stick permanently inside the respiratory system and cause grievous amounts of damage. Although it can take years for any symptoms to develop, the fibers can make normal breathing extremely difficult and lead to several serious disorders and diseases. Two of the most well known afflictions that are often a direct result of asbestos exposure are asbestosis and mesothelioma. Neither of them are curable, and they have been responsible for a tremendous loss of life for people who worked at facilities such as the Hendry Corporation.
The Hendry Corporation is still operating today, but all items that contained asbestos have been removed. Although the people who work there now do not face the risk of inhaling this toxic substance, anyone who spent time at the shipyard while asbestos products were in use was put in great danger.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
