Arkansas Sandblaster Sues Mine Safety, 3M Over Silica Exposure

PINE BLUFF, Ark. — A former industrial painter and sandblaster alleges in a newly filed lawsuit that safety equipment made by Mine Safety Appliances Co (NYSE: MSA), 3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) and other defendants failed to protect him from silica-related lung disease.

Hershel Lee Robinson filed the 30-page complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas Oct. 5 against 22 silica suppliers and safety equipment and industrial parts manufacturers, adding claims against 500 unknown “Does” and 500 “Doe” corporations.

Robinson, an Arkansas resident, alleges that he worked with silica-containing products in various construction trades throughout …