Repeated violations result in higher fines. Steven's family remembered him as a 'teddy bear of a man' who 'adored' his daughters. He fell onto a concrete floor. He died instantly, but not all of him went in. Caterpillar spokeswoman Lisa Miller released the following statement to The Sun: We are deeply saddened by the death of an employee who was involved in a serious incident at our Mapleton, Illinois, facility on June 2. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) broke the news Wednesday, revealing it was only the 39-year-old's ninth day on the job. The employee was. Mr. Thompson, 55, saw the ladle drop and tried to run, but the molten metal caught up with him. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The employee placed his hands, one finger to pick up the chain next to the sprocket and received a finger amputation., Caterpillar was fined $25,868 in November 2017 for a safety violation. Caterpillar workers: We want to hear from you. He lost more than one million yuan (equivalent to 152,000 US dollars) on the stock exchange, the police said in a statement. International Committee of the Fourth International. Caterpillar Inc. is facing more than $145,000 in fines from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration because an employee fell into a pot of molten iron over the summer. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided byRefinitiv Lipper. Steven Dierkes, of Peoria, Illinois, died instantly after he was presumably working alongside a crucible when he fell in, according to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood. A federal investigation determined that, if proper safety guards had been installed, the death could have been avoided, OSHA said. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. An Illinois man died instantly after he allegedly fell into a vat of molten iron in early June. He and his family are in all of our thoughts and prayers. The death of the worker has gone unacknowledged by the UAW International so far. Dierkes death was the third in 30 years since Ron had started working there. It added that he would have done anything for anyone with no expectation of anything in return. He died instantly, but not all of him went in. He was taking a sample of iron for the met lab and apparently just tripped, a worker who spoke on the condition of anonymity told the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS). Caterpillar did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, sent outside normal working hours. One of the worlds biggest manufacturers of industrial vehicles and equipment has been cited and penalized for the death of a worker who fell into an 11-foot-deep pot of molten iron heated to more than 2,000 degrees this summer. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? In April 2020, a 47-year-old man committed suicide by jumping from a tall building in Putian City, Fujian Province. It must have been ghastly for those folks that witnessed it and to wait for the coroner with half of their coworker lying on the floor.. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Putins former spin doctor-turned-critic dead, Billionaire who killed self mourned by Clintons, Dr. Oz at NYC funeral, Family of nuclear physicist who died by suicide in jail cell sues US Government, Pentagon panel says military bases should stop selling guns to troops under 25 to prevent suicides. A friend of mine worked for a company down in Florida that would pour concrete sea walls, their company was violated for the same issues multiple times, no deaths had even occurred and some individual fines were $400,000 and this was over 10 years ago. In December 2021, 50-year-old Scott M. Adams also took a fatal plunge in the factory. IRVING, Texas A Caterpillar Inc. employee is dead after he fell into a pot full of molten iron heated to more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The video showing the man slapping hot molten liquid first surfaced in 2018. Our thoughts are with this employees family, friends and colleagues. I was working with a guy shaking out 3600 diesel blocks with a 50 ton bridge crane once and gave him a run down of what not to do. The employee dropped the chain in between sprockets and pushed on one end to the east and continued sliding under the sprocket to put the master link. PEOPLE. by Colin Fluxman | Published November 10, 2022 A 39-year-old employee of a Mapleton foundry fell and was immediately incinerated in an 11-foot-deep pot of molten iron heated to more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. "We implore employers to review the agency specific regulations to protect workers from falls into equipment in industrial settings.". Steven Dierkes, 39 had started working for Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry in Peoria County only five days previously, when he took a sample of iron for the met lab and 'apparently just tripped' according to an anonymous veteran factory worker, who used the . An Illinois man died instantly after tripping and partially falling into a vat of molten iron. Steven Dierkes, of Peoria, Illinois, died. He was transported and admitted to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.. Skip to content. This story originally appeared onThe Sunand was reproduced here with permission. CANTON, Ohio - A foundry worker was killed Thursday when he fell into an industrial pit and was covered in molten steel, authorities said. Those injuries are still happening.. Adams was contracted from Shaefer Electric to work at the Caterpillar foundry, where he was installing new equipment. Steven Dierkes, the 39-year-old employee of a Mapleton foundry, fell into an 11-foot-deep pot of molten iron heated to more 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and was "immediately incinerated." It was. Caterpillars production demands almost invariably lead to accidents due to rushing.. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Last Wednesday, OSHA proposed fines of $145,027 against Caterpillar for not installing a guardrail or travel restraint at the foundry, which manufactures cast iron engine components. The renamed Midvale Steel Works became best known for its its early experimentation with alloy . Jan. 18, 1982 Man jumps into molten steel; officials rule suicide PITTSBURGH -- Company officials say a worker committed suicide by jumping into a ladle of molten steel but his family. Steven Dierkes, of Peoria, Illinois, was. It was really tough to sit there and hand the guy Kleenexes in my office as he cried, and he talked about, What am I going to do now? Then, wed play video games all night. Part of his body remained on the deck for the coroner to retrieve. In 1998, A man named Allen Wardle survived for six hours after falling 20ft into a 450C vat of molten zinc at a factory in Essex. Worker dies in molten metal tragedy A 52-year-old man has died after falling into a vat of molten zinc. His services were no longer needed. The United Auto Workers (UAW), which oversees a number of Caterpillar workers, said little more: Local 974 lost one of our members this morning in a tragic accident at our Mapleton facility. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Despite suffering 100% burns, he would die later that day in the hospital. More than 800 people are employed at the Caterpillar foundry in Mapleton, Illinois, and the foundry manufactures "engine components used for construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives," according to OSHA. Caterpillar has 15 business days from the time of OSHAs citation to either comply, request an informal conference with OSHAs area director to discuss the matter further or contest the findings and citation in front of the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Kevin Downey, 49, fell five years after being hailed a hero for his actions after . Per federal safety regulations, Caterpillar Inc. was required to install guardrails or some type of restraint to protect their employees. She broke her arm, he said, she damaged her knee, and she lost her job. And he added of the UAWs inability to protect the worker, because I got the complaint late, she lost her house and she ended up living in her car.. Part of his body remained on the deck for the coroner to retrieve., Steven Dierkes, 39, is survived by his partner Jessica Sutter and their three daughters. Wang Long, 34, went missing from a night shift at the Chinese steel factory where he worked before surveillance footage revealed the disturbing chain of events leading to his death. All comments will be kept anonymous. "Producing more than 150,000 tons each year, Caterpillar's foundry is one of the nation's largest and they should be acutely aware of industry regulations to protect workers using smelters and other dangerous equipment.". A father-of-three died when he fell into a vat of molten iron, a coroner has said. Police said they believe he took his life because he had a high level of loan debt after reportedly losing over 60,000 yuan about $9,130 in the stock market. All comments will be published anonymously. The 39-year-old employee was only on his ninth day at the job when he died. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Thanks for contacting us. A 39-YEAR-old worker died after falling into a molten iron vat of 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit molten - leaving half of his body lying on the floor. Search. China Steel Factory Suicide (RELATED: 72-Year-Old Woman Dies Hiking In Park That Authorities Closed Down Years Ago), Americas Got Talent Star Jonathan Goodwin Paralyzed After Getting Crushed And Caught On Fire https://t.co/ZlVm7PhosX, Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 4, 2022, We are deeply saddened by the death of an employee who was involved in a serious incident at our Mapleton, Illinois, facility on June 2, Caterpillar spokeswoman Lisa Millar said in an email to the outlet, Our thoughts are with this employees family, friends and colleagues. Federal investigatorssay that inadequate safety protections may have contributed to the worker's death and propose to fine the foundry operator Caterpillar of $145,027. In an exchange in 2016 between a UAW safety representative and OSHA, it was revealed that Caterpillar frequently retaliated against employees who reported safety violations, while the UAW did practically nothing. Shocking video captured the moment a despondent steel factory worker in China took his own life by jumping into a blast furnace after reportedly losing just over $9,000 in the stock market. The report noted: An employee was repairing a broken chain on an overhead conveyor system. "A worker's life could have been spared if Caterpillar had made sure required safety protections were in place, a fact that only adds to this tragedy," said OSHA Regional Administrator Bill Donovan in Chicago. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) WMBD/WYZZ is following up on a report of a Liberty Steel worker falling into a vat of acid in Peoria Monday. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US . He had been on a gantry at a galvanising factory in Witham, Essex. Caterpillar workers: Wed like to hear from you. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile, A video by Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry shows iron being melted at 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit. Get the latest Caterpillar stock price here. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The fatal accident occurred at a meat processing plant when 41-year-old cleaner Hugo Avalos Chanon fell into a running meat blender while cleaning it. In 2020, OSHA fined theCaterpillar Mapleton facility $5,750 for a serious safety violation concerning fall protection systems and falling objects. The full details have not been made public by OSHA. The incident took place at the Caterpillar foundry in Mapleton, the Peoria County coroner told the Peoria Journal Star. The safety of our employees, contractors and visitors is our top priority at all Caterpillar locations around the world.". A 39-year-old worker on just his ninth day on the job at a Caterpillar-operated foundry in Mapleton, Illinois, died after falling into a vat of molten iron. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The facility ships an average of 150,000 tons of finished product each year.. Wang Long . He said it must have been ghastly for those folks that witnessed it and to wait for the coroner with half of their coworker lying on the floor. Ron, the veteran Caterpillar worker, noted that speedups and outsourcing of the workforce have created increasingly deadly conditions, A number of operations like chip and grind have been outsourced, he said. 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We were into professional wrestling, so every Friday night, wed get together with friends and wed try wrestling moves on each other. Harwood said the Thursday incident which took place at theCaterpillarMapleton Foundry was accidental and no foul play is suspected, thePeoria Journal Starreports. It must have been ghastly for those folks that witnessed it and to wait for the coroner with half of their coworker lying on the floor., The worker, called Ron to protect his identity claims the death occurred on one of the large melters in the main foundry melting area.. We've received your submission. Caterpillar was fined $145,027 by OSHA for for not installing a guardrail or travel restraint at a foundry outside Peoria. The incident happened on Thursday, June 2, at . Steve Mitchell, the UAWs safety chairman for the plant, admitted to a panel of investigators that the company fired workers who reported safety issues, while fecklessly stating, Im not here to speak badly about Caterpillar., In recent years at my local, Mitchell stated then, weve filed 53 11(c) complaints [whistleblower complaints under the section 11(c) of the OSHA act of 1970], and we havent had one complaint thats come in our favor. He added that people who made these complaints were disciplined or discharged and they expressed to [him] that they wish theyd never reported their injuries, and thats a sad state of affairs when you consider that your worst day at work of getting hurt just got made worse by potentially losing your job., Mitchell detailed horrific stories of workers who got fired as well. Caterpillar employee immediately incinerated after falling into pot of molten iron, OSHA says, Parent volunteer charged in alleged relationship with a minor, California board denies parole for RFK killer Sirhan Sirhan, Manager shot, killed at Hobby Lobby warehouse. Investigators say if safety guards were installed, if might have prevented the accident. He had. Tom Wood. FILE: Construction machines of Caterpillar Inc. (Gen Yuhe/VCG via Getty Images / Getty Images), FOX Business Flash top headlines for November 15. "If required safety guards or fall protection had been installed, the 39-year-old employee's ninth day on the job might not have been their last.". He is remembered as a hard-working teddy bear of a man with calloused hands and a tender heart.. Powered and implemented byFactSet Digital Solutions. THIS IS the horrifying moment a desperate factory worker jumped into a super-heated 900C steel furnace after allegedly losing 6,000 on the stock market. 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