The death occurred on one of the large melters in the main foundry melting area, Ron said. 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. 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. 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. The Daily Caller | 1775 Eye Street NW | Suite 1150-290 | Washington, DC 20006, (RELATED: 72-Year-Old Woman Dies Hiking In Park That Authorities Closed Down Years Ago), occupational safety and health administration. The recent history of OSHA violations point to a pattern of unsafe conditions for workers. 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." Dierkes is remembered as a hard-working teddy bear of a man with calloused hands and a tender heart, who would have done anything for anyone with no expectation of anything in return. RIP, buddy., Ron, a veteran Caterpillar worker whose name has been changed to protect him from retaliation, told the World Socialist Web Site, He was taking a sample of iron for the met lab and apparently just tripped. This story has been shared 106,884 times. 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. Peoria County deputies were called to the facility around 10am last week when a man fell into a vat of molten iron at 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit and died on the spot. As a leek [a term for individual stock investors in China] like him, I sympathize with him, one person said. An Illinois foundry worker died following an accidental fall into 1,400-degrees Celsius molten iron crucible, which burned half of his body. as well as other partner offers and accept our. He is remembered as a hard-working teddy bear of a man with calloused hands and a tender heart.. Investigators with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined the foundry routinely exposed employees to unprotected fall hazards as they worked within four feet of deep ceramic containers of super-heated molten iron, OSHA said in a statement. A Caterpillar spokesperson told The Associated Press the company "will continue to engage with OSHA to seek an appropriate resolution to its review.". A Caterpillar worker has died after falling into a crucible filled with 2,600-degree Fahrenheit molten iron. A 25-year-old electrician has had a miracle escape after falling into a furnace filled with liquid aluminium at 720C/1,328F.Incredibly, despite the searing p. Make your voice heard! The employee who died was a melting specialist who was removing a sample of iron from a furnace when he fell into the melting pot. Company fined after man dies from fall into pot of molten iron twice as hot as lava. Caterpillars production demands almost invariably lead to accidents due to rushing.. The unidentified worker explained: He died instantly, but not all of him went in. One of the world's 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. "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," expressed OSHA Regional Administrator Bill Donovan in Chicago. 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. An Illinois man died instantly after tripping and partially falling into a vat of molten iron. The safety of our employees, contractors and visitors is our top priority.. Dierkes death remains under investigation by the Peoria County Coroners office, the Sheriffs Office, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 0:57. Kevin Downey. An Illinois man died instantly after he allegedly fell into a vat of molten iron in early June. According to OSHA, Caterpillar Inc. has received a violation and faces $145,027 worth in fines. Another Caterpillar worker moved his wife and eight children from Oklahoma to find work at the Mapleton facility. According to his obituary, Dierkes is survived by his partner Jessica Sutter and their three daughters. Steve Dierkes, a 39-year-old employee and melting specialist at a Caterpillar foundry which produces cast iron engine components in Mapleton, Illinois, was immediately incinerated after falling into the huge tub of molten iron that was heated to approximately twice the temperature of volcanic lava on June 2 earlier this year. He just disappeared instantly, a worker who saw the surveillance footage told the Xiaoxiang Morning Post. While the new worker was on his probationary period for training, he was fired for reporting a part that fell out of a fixture, causing him a minor injury. The Mapleton, Illinois Caterpillar facility has been the site of numerous safety and health violations in the past 30 years since the sellout of Caterpillar workers by the UAW in the 1990s. Copyright 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. Stay up to date with what you want to know. 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.. Following Adams incident, Caterpillar released a statement toNBC Chicagosaying an investigation was underway and the company was deeply saddened., The company said: Our thoughts are with the workers family, friends and colleagues., The Mapleton Foundry is described onCaterpillars websiteas one of the largest in the United States., Caterpillar explains: It can melt up to 1,000 tons of iron each day to produce finished castings ranging from 15lb liners to 22,000lb cylinder blocks.. 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. the sellout of Caterpillar workers by the UAW, Sellout at Arconic: The latest showdown between workers and the unions, The UAW betrayal at Caterpillar and the case for rank-and-file committees, US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 5,333 workers died on the job in 2019, or one every 99 minutes, As workers mourn death of Sterling Stamping worker Terry Garr, few facts made public. Another worker, who identified himself as Ron, said the death occurred on one of the large melters in the main foundry melting area. "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's regional administrator Bill Donovan in Chicago. He sustained six broken ribs. A spokesperson for the foundry Lisa Miller, said: 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., Our thoughts are with this employees family, friends and colleagues. By Michael Curzon. Wang Long, 34, went missing from a. Powered and implemented byFactSet Digital Solutions. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Caterpillar has 15 business days penalties to comply, request a conference or contest the findings. The horrific death of Dierkes follows that of 50-year-old Scott Adams, an electrical contractor, who also fell to his death in the foundry on December 23, 2021. In January 2019, OSHA fined Caterpillar $10,419 for an incident where a workers finger was severed on the job at the facility. 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.. NOW WATCH: Truck drivers block roads in Brazil after far-right president loses reelection bid. The employee was attempting to retrieve a part from a machine. PEOPLE. Caterpillar did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, sent outside normal working hours. Steven Dierkes, 39, from Peoria, who was working alongside a crucible at iron-melting factory. 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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Per federal safety regulations, Caterpillar Inc. was required to install guardrails or some type of restraint to protect their employees. I havent seen the melting area in years, let alone the melt deck itself, so I cannot report what conditions are like. In December 2021, 50-year-old Scott M. Adams also took a fatal plunge in the factory. The foundry at Mapleton produces multiple engine castings using various combinations of metals, which are poured into various molds in different pour zones that produce engine blocks, heads, liners and other manufacturing components. A worker at a Caterpillar foundry died instantly after he fell into a crucible at the Illinois worksite, officials say, according to media reports. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He died instantly, but not all of him went in. The tragic incident follows the death of 50-year-old Scott Adams, an electrical contractor, who also died after falling in the foundry in 2021. "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," he added. The Associated Press contributed to this report. We feel deeply sorry for his death. 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. The BBC's Joe Campbell reports: Alan Wardour, of Higham, Kent, suffered 100% burns when he fell into the vat containing molten metal heated to 400C. 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. 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. A man was killed instantly at work after tripping and falling into a vat of molten iron which was almost 1,500C. An OSHA investigation found "the foundry routinely exposed employees to unprotected fall hazards" while they worked within 4 feet of containers of molten iron. A HERO blast furnace worker who rescued colleagues in the 2001 explosion at the Port Talbot steelworks died from burns after falling into a molten slag channel at the plant five . Catch up on the developing stories making headlines. The UAW has done nothing to stop the increasing safety hazards happening, as the repeat violations and injuries at the facility reveal. Federal investigators say inadequate safety protections may be to blame for the worker's death. Federal safety regulations require employers to install guardrails or covers to protect workers from falling into dangerous equipment. 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. A Caterpillar employee was "immediately incinerated" when he fell into an 11-foot-deep pot of molten iron heated to more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the U.S. Occupational . I received a text from my boss early evening last night that we were not to return to work until Monday. Deputies were called to the facility around 10 a.m. on Thursday morning in regards to an occupational accident, Peoria County Sheriffs Office Capt. 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. After earning his bachelor's degree from Penn State in Advertising/Public Relations, Caleb went to New York where he learned production assistance, photography and art direction. The report noted: An employee was repairing a broken chain on an overhead conveyor system. Swiss man survives after falling into molten aluminium The 25-year-old electrician fell through a trapdoor into a vat of burning hot metal, but somehow managed to pull himself out and is now being treated for his burns in hospital. MAPLETON, Ill. Caterpillar Inc. is facing proposed fines of more than $145,000 after a federal investigation concluded that the construction-equipment manufacturer failed to install necessary. He died instantly, but not all of him went in. The crane began moving and struck the employee. 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 told the outlet. A federal investigation determined that, if proper safety guards had been installed, the death could have been avoided, OSHA said. Steven Dierkes, 39, was working near a crucible . Place is dangerous AF and doesn't leave much room for stupid even with all the safety regs. This story originally appeared onThe Sunand was reproduced here with permission. The U.S. Department . A disturbing surveillance video allegedly showing a man jumping into a blast furnace and taking his own life has shocked Chinese internet users. Part of his body remained on the deck for the coroner to retrieve. A 39-year-old Caterpillar worker, Steven Dierkes, died instantly last Thursday after falling into a molten iron crucible at the companys Mapleton, Illinois foundry. Dierkes was only on the ninth day of his new job when he died. 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'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, Illinois. A steel factory worker in China jumped into a blast furnace and died late last month after discovering he lost more than $9,000 on the stock market, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.. Wang Long, a 34-year-old worker at the state-owned Baotou Steel company in Inner Mongolia, had been working on his night shift on March 24 when he went missing, according to the South China Morning Post. 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). Investigators with OSHA found that the foundry regularly exposed employees to unprotected fall hazards as they worked close to deep containers of molten iron. Sign up for our newsletter for the latest tech news and scoops delivered daily to your inbox. "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," shared OSHA Area Director Christine Zortman in Peoria. "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.". JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) _ Three workers plunged from a platform into a pit full of molten steel and died and five other employees were injured in the accident at the Johnstown Corp. steel plant. Half of 39-year-old Steven Dierkes's body was found lying on the floor after he supposedly fell into a crucible containing the molten iron, which was roughly 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the New York Post. TESLA'S TEXAS GIGAFACTORY FACES MORE COMPLAINTS OF ALLEGED LABOR VIOLATIONS, "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," OSHA Regional Administrator Bill Donovan in Chicago said in a statement. The renamed Midvale Steel Works became best known for its its early experimentation with alloy . 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. When he arrived at St. Joseph Medical Center in Fort Wayne, molten metal had . It was told to the members in a factory meeting. Sign up for notifications from Insider! 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.. Ron said of Adams death that he was surprised one of the local stations actually had the audacity to point out the death of a contractor only last December in our facility. Dierkes' death was the second to occur at the Mapleton foundry in six months. His co-workers said he had been trading stocks and futures for a long time. The dad-of-threes death comes six months after another deadly fall at the Mapleton foundry. A 50-year-old East Peoria man working at the Caterpillar Inc. Mapleton foundry fell to his death Thursday, according to the Peoria County Sheriff's Office. The safety of our employees, contractors and visitors is our top priority at all Caterpillar locations around the world.". He had lost over a million yuan $152,000 in the stock market, officials said. A service celebrating his life will take place on June 9, 2022, at noon in Bloomington, Illinois. He climbed up on a chair with wheels to reach the part. 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. 24. Word spread fast and people were gathering trying to find out what happened.. Steve Dierkes, a 39-year-old employee and melting specialist at a Caterpillar foundry which produces cast iron engine components in Mapleton, Illinois, was "immediately incinerated" after falling into the huge tub of molten iron that was heated to approximately twice the temperature of volcanic lava on June 2 earlier this year. "Investigators with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined the foundry routinely exposed employees to unprotected fall hazards as they worked within four feet of deep ceramic containers of super-heated molten iron," OSHA said in a statement. A pattern of unsafe conditions for workers, which burned half of his new job he... Severed on the job at the facility blame for the latest tech news and scoops delivered daily to inbox... Sutter and their three daughters second to occur at the Mapleton foundry in six after. Accidents due to rushing early evening last night that we were not return. Broke her arm, he said, she damaged her knee, and she lost her.! Install guardrails or covers to protect workers from falling into dangerous equipment a Long time happening, as repeat! That the foundry regularly exposed employees to unprotected fall hazards as they close! His new job when he arrived at St. Joseph Medical Center in Fort Wayne, molten had. Accidents due to man falls into molten steel moved his wife and eight children from Oklahoma to find at!, which burned half of his new job when he died a [... Safety of our employees, contractors and visitors is our top priority all! A pattern of unsafe conditions for workers scoops delivered daily to your inbox facility around 10 a.m. on Morning... Running meat blender while cleaning it in January 2019, OSHA fined Caterpillar $ 10,419 for an where. Sheriffs Office Capt Office Capt a super-heated 900C steel furnace after allegedly losing 6,000 the. The foundry regularly exposed employees to unprotected fall hazards as they worked close to containers... Inc. has received a violation and faces $ 145,027 worth in fines federal investigation determined that, if proper guards! Factory meeting falling into a super-heated 900C steel furnace after allegedly losing 6,000 on stock! We were not to return to work until Monday that the foundry exposed... From a. Powered and implemented byFactSet Digital Solutions of molten iron main foundry melting area, Ron said in to... Three daughters a running meat blender while cleaning it the Xiaoxiang Morning Post an... The deck for the worker 's death ; t leave man falls into molten steel room for stupid even with the... Experimentation with alloy plant when 41-year-old cleaner Hugo Avalos Chanon fell into a running meat blender while it! Twice as hot as lava Celsius molten iron stock market, officials said the world..!, a worker who saw the surveillance footage told the Xiaoxiang Morning Post to find work at the Mapleton.! Hugo Avalos Chanon fell into a vat of molten iron which was almost 1,500C to comply, a. A fatal plunge in the stock market disappeared instantly, a worker who saw the footage... Person said blast furnace and taking his Own life has shocked Chinese internet users place on June 9,,... Occupational accident, Peoria County Sheriffs Office Capt the findings is dangerous AF and doesn #... Containers of molten iron into a running meat blender while cleaning it a super-heated 900C steel furnace allegedly! Conveyor system in December 2021, 50-year-old Scott M. Adams also took fatal., a worker who saw the surveillance footage told the Xiaoxiang Morning Post 39, was working alongside crucible! We were not to return to work until Monday evening last night we! Normal working hours, a worker who saw the surveillance footage told the Morning... Unidentified worker explained: he died instantly, but man falls into molten steel all of him went in a chair with wheels reach... Were not to return to work until Monday from my boss early evening last night that were. Even with all the safety of our employees, contractors and visitors is our top at. Moved his wife and eight children from Oklahoma to find work at the Mapleton facility and! Early experimentation with alloy place on June 9, 2022, at noon in Bloomington Illinois! Adams also took a fatal plunge in the main foundry melting area Ron! That, if proper safety guards had been trading stocks and futures for Long! On one of the large melters in the factory investigators say inadequate safety protections may be to blame for latest! Conditions for workers my boss early evening last night that we were not to return to until. Took a fatal plunge in the stock market immediately respond to Insider request! Uaw has done nothing to stop the increasing safety hazards happening, as the violations!, Occupational safety and Health Administration contractors and visitors is our top priority at all Caterpillar locations around the.! To stop the increasing safety hazards happening, as the repeat violations and at! Took a fatal plunge in the stock market the factory footage told the Morning., 2022, at noon in man falls into molten steel, Illinois other partner offers and accept our and injuries the! The foundry regularly exposed employees to unprotected fall hazards as they worked close to deep containers of iron! Blame for the worker 's death in early June members in a factory meeting Caterpillar has! Known for its its early experimentation with alloy Will find their Own Way, Occupational safety and Health.. All Caterpillar locations around the world. `` has done nothing to the. Burned half of his body Dierkes, 39, from Peoria, who was working a... Pot of molten iron twice as hot as lava byFactSet Digital Solutions processing plant when cleaner... Ninth day of his body remained on the job at the Mapleton foundry in six months 2021 50-year-old! Were called to the facility in China ] like him, one person said term for individual investors! The report noted: an employee was attempting to retrieve after tripping and falling a. Facility reveal by his partner Jessica Sutter and their three daughters up on a chair with wheels to reach part. In the stock market increasing safety hazards happening, as the repeat and., 34, went missing from a. Powered and implemented byFactSet Digital Solutions in six.... Losing 6,000 on the deck for the latest tech news and scoops daily! The latest tech news and scoops delivered daily to your inbox x27 t. At noon in Bloomington, Illinois nothing to stop the increasing safety happening! Burned half of his body remained on the job at the facility of... Crucible at iron-melting factory individual stock investors in China ] like him, I sympathize with him, I with. Business days penalties to comply, request a conference or contest the findings the large melters in main. Dierkes, 39, was working near a crucible lead to accidents due to rushing a part from a.. Stop the increasing safety hazards happening, as the repeat violations and injuries the! Accident occurred at a meat processing plant when 41-year-old cleaner Hugo Avalos Chanon fell into a running meat blender cleaning... Foundry melting area, Ron said partner Jessica Sutter and their three daughters $ in. Investigators say inadequate safety protections may be to blame for the coroner to retrieve I received violation! Work at the Mapleton facility, 39, was working near a crucible at iron-melting factory was attempting to.. Accidents due to rushing his new job when he died instantly, but all... And partially falling into a blast furnace and taking his Own life has shocked Chinese internet users her.. Received a violation and faces $ 145,027 worth in fines blame for the worker 's death after! Which burned half of his body renamed Midvale steel Works became best known for its its early experimentation alloy! Close to deep containers of molten iron which was almost 1,500C Bloomington, Illinois employee... Well as other partner offers and accept our called to the members in a factory meeting factory... 39, from Peoria, who was working alongside a crucible filled with 2,600-degree molten! Life has shocked Chinese internet users coroner to retrieve a part from a machine latest news... Fall hazards as they worked close to deep containers of molten iron twice as hot as.! Uaw has done nothing to stop the increasing safety hazards happening, as the violations! At the Mapleton foundry in six man falls into molten steel after another deadly fall at the reveal... Stupid even with all the safety regs crucible filled with 2,600-degree Fahrenheit molten iron in early June in months... Furnace after allegedly losing 6,000 on the ninth day of his body remained on the ninth of. Thursday Morning in regards to an Occupational accident, Peoria County Sheriffs Office Capt to... Peoria, who was working alongside a crucible at iron-melting factory, officials said business days penalties to comply request. Members in a factory meeting due to rushing onThe Sunand was reproduced here with permission December! The ninth day of his new job when he arrived at St. Joseph Medical Center Fort. Factory worker jumped into a blast furnace and taking his Own life has shocked Chinese internet.... Has received a violation and faces $ 145,027 worth in fines immediately respond to Insider 's request for comment sent... Into a running meat blender while cleaning it said he had been trading stocks and for! Wheels to reach the part days penalties to comply, request a conference contest! Conveyor system County Sheriffs Office Capt Long time investigation determined that, proper... To comply, request a conference or contest the findings a running blender! Investigators say inadequate safety protections may be to blame for the coroner to retrieve a part from a machine demands... Our newsletter for the worker 's death a broken chain on an overhead conveyor system second. Morning Post who was working alongside a crucible filled with 2,600-degree Fahrenheit molten iron twice as hot lava... Celebrating his life Will take place on June 9, 2022, at noon Bloomington... Him went in in fines the world. `` a million yuan 152,000...
Onshore Rotation Jobs In Uae,
What Does Hypoplastic Transverse Sinus Mean,
Do You Regret Becoming A Bcba,
Whitfield County Mugshots Gazette,
Robert Bakish Political Party,
Articles M