The EEOICPA was passed in 2000. It provides compensation to workers who became ill as a result of their employment manufacturing nuclear weapons in the USA, as well as their spouses, children, and grandchildren. Copperweld Steel EEOICPA coverage is available for qualified former Workers and their families.
Are you eligible for compensation? If you or a family member worked at this or another AWE facility and became ill, you may be entitled to compensation of up to $150K plus medical benefits. Call EEOICPA Counsel Hugh Stephens at 1-855-548-4494 or fill out our free claim evaluation, We can help even if you’ve already filed, even if your claim was denied!
Here, we have compiled publicly available information and documentation about the facilities covered by the Act to clarify how their activities relate to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.
Copperweld Steel
State: Ohio
Location: Warren
Time Period: 1943-1946
Facility Type: Atomic Weapons Employer
Facility Description: The Copperweld Steel Company of Warren, Ohio, straightened and outgassed a large number of uranium rods for the Hanford and Oak Ridge reactors between May and August of 1943.
*BACKGROUND:
Site Function
For a period of 18 to 21 months from mid-1943 to early-1945, the Copperweld Steel Company researched methods of straightening uranium metal rods and developed commercial practices for annealing and out-gassing uranium rods in support of MED operations. Copper-weld out-gassed and mechanically straightened approximately 3000 uranium rods.
Work to straighten uranium rods was apparently underway by mid-May 1943. At that time it ‘was estimated that it would only be necessary to operate approximately one day a week to perform the work required under the MED purchase order, scheduled for completion in early July. According to an
MED memorandum to file concerning the protective security program at the contractor’s plant, these operations were conducted on weekends. Material to be processed was shipped to the plant in freight cars and brought into the building on a railroad siding, was processed and shipped out on the same day received. Requirements to out-gas the uranium rods were subsequently added to the work performed under the purchase order. During out-gassing, approximately 300 ft’ of argon gas was used while the uranium rods were heated to 620KC for six hours. The out-gassed rods were then machined, with samples analyzed for hydrogen-to-metal equilibrium.
Site Description:
The site is located at 4000 Mahoning Avenue, N.W ., W a rren, Ohio. The Copper-weld plant is a complex of buildings covering approximately 502 acres. The current plant layout is essentially the same as when work was performed for the MED. The work for the MED was restricted to weekends and carried out only in one area of the complex which houses annealing, finishing and shipping facilities. The one-story building is constructed of steel framing and sheet metal siding on a concrete floor. Old furnaces and straighteners which m ight have been used for MED operations have been removed. The Copper-weld Steel Company still owns and operates the site.
*Source
Listing:
Copperweld Steel is listed as an Atomic Weapons Employer (AWE) site and as a Department of Energy (DOE) site under the EEOICPA.
Compensation:
As of 03/22/2015, the total compensation paid under Part B of the EEOICPA, including medical compensation, for workers suffering from the effects of having worked at Copperweld Steel is $450,000.
Copperweld Steel Workers:
If you or your parent worked at this or any other AWE facility and became ill, you may be entitled to compensation of up to $150K plus medical benefits from the US Department of Labor. Call EEOICPA Counsel Hugh Stephens at 1-855-EEOICPA (336-4272) or fill out the form to the right, whether ot not you have already filed a claim and even if your claim has been accepted or denied.
We can help with all OWCP (Federal Workers Compensation) claims, impairments, wage loss and health care. 2495 Main Street, Suite 442 Buffalo, NY 14214.
DOCUMENTS:
NIOSH: Technical Basis Documents
Site Profiles for Atomic Weapons Employers that Worked
Uranium Metals
Site Profiles for Atomic Weapons Employers that Worked
Uranium and Thorium Metals
Appendix AS Copperweld Steel Co.