Working Men Memes

OSHA Cites Foundry after Worker 'Incinerated' on 9th Day on Job

Mapleton, IL - An Illinois foundry is facing a six-figure penalty after federal investigators found an employee died immediately after he fell into a vat of molten iron.
A 39-year-old died on his ninth day on the job.

OSHA investigators were called to the foundry in June when the employee died after falling into an 11-foot deep pot of molten iron heated to more than 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit. The worker, Steven Dierkes, of Peoria, Ill., was removing a sample of iron from the furnace when he fell in. Investigators said he was immediately incinerated, leaving half of his body on the floor next to the pot.

"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. "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."
Federal regulations require that employers install guardrails or restraint systems, or to cover hazards to protect workers from falls into dangerous equipment.
The company was cited for one willful violation, and OSHA proposed a fine of $145,027. In its report, OSHA said the company failed to ensure that employees less than four feet above dangerous equipment were protected from falling into or onto the vat. Specifically, the agency said, employees were exposed to unprotected fall hazards into Melter #1, Melter #2, and Melter #3, across three shifts a day which exposed employees Taking temperature readings, taking button samples, taking thermal cups, and adding alloy bags directly to the melters to hazards.
"Caterpillar's failure to meet its legal responsibilities to ensure the safety and health of workers leaves this worker's family, friends and co-workers to grieve needlessly," said OSHA Area Director Christine Zortman in Peoria. "We implore employers to review the agency specific regulations to protect workers from falls into equipment in industrial settings."
Caterpillar has more than 800 workers at the foundry, which provides engine components for construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. According to the company's website, the foundry goes through 1,000 tons of iron a day.
The company said it was “deeply saddened” by Dierkes’ death.