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 more than 2,000 degrees this summer. International Committee of the Fourth International. 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. The incident took place at the Caterpillar foundry in Mapleton, the Peoria County coroner told the Peoria Journal Star. The electrician fell tumbled into a furnace filled with the melted metal while at work in St. This is the second death. Part of his body remained on the deck for the coroner to retrieve. 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 . Dierkes was only on the ninth day of his new job when he died. These components are the foundation for the companys 115-6,600hp (86- 4,920 kW) engine platforms, the company adds. In November 2019, OSHA fined Caterpillar $4,337 for a serious health and safety violation at the Mapleton facility. 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. Everyone likes a good party trick, but the star of a viral Reddit video set a new standard for mind-boggling stunts when he passed his bare hand through a stream of molten metal. The family of Caleb Otieno, an employee of Thika-based Blue Nile Rolling Mills Ltd, who was killed after he fell into a vat of molten steel last month, is entangled in a row . It didnt go away, but the work being done by UAW-represented people did. 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. I received a text from my boss early evening last night that we were not to return to work until Monday. Another Caterpillar worker moved his wife and eight children from Oklahoma to find work at the Mapleton facility. He had been on a gantry at a galvanising factory in Witham, Essex. Those injuries are still happening.. All rights reserved. Wardle's workmates managed to quickly recover him from the vat, and I do mean quickly. 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 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. An investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as the sheriff and coroners offices is presently underway. Powered and implemented byFactSet Digital Solutions. Search. Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said that no foul play is suspected, according to the Peoria Journal Star. He climbed up on a chair with wheels to reach the part. 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. Users of Chinas social media platform Weibo expressed their sadness about Wangs death. The employee was. 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. 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. The UAW has done nothing to stop the increasing safety hazards happening, as the repeat violations and injuries at the facility reveal. "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. In January 2019, OSHA fined Caterpillar $10,419 for an incident where a workers finger was severed on the job at the facility. A service celebrating his life will take place on June 9, 2022, at noon in Bloomington, Illinois. The company is ordered to pay a fine of $145,027. Anobituary for Dierkes, via PJ Star, notes the worker passed away at 9:23 a.m. from a workplace accident.. 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. Dierkes' death was the second to occur at the Mapleton foundry in six months. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Our thoughts are with this employees family, friends and colleagues. We won't get into all the gory details . "We implore employers to review the agency specific regulations to protect workers from falls into equipment in industrial settings.". In April 2020, a 47-year-old man also committed suicide in China for similar reasons by jumping from a high-rise building in a hospital in the city of Putian, the news outlet reported. This story has been shared 106,884 times. Adams was contracted from Shaefer Electric to work at the Caterpillar foundry, where he was installing new equipment. 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. He is survived by his life partner Jessica Sutter and their three daughters. One worker who suffered an injury after falling over a trip hazard was fired by the company. "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. Investigators say if safety guards were installed, if might have prevented the accident. Long reportedly committed suicide after losing money in the stock market. The worker was "immediately. 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. He is remembered as a hard-working teddy bear of a man with calloused hands and a tender heart.. The employee was hospitalized with multiple fractures and body trauma., In July 2017, Caterpillar was fined $5,079 for an incident in which a worker sustained six broken ribs. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. 2. Per federal safety regulations, Caterpillar Inc. was required to install guardrails or some type of restraint to protect their employees. 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. 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 report stated, At 4:47 am on November 1, 2017, an employee walked down an automated crane aisle to check a crane that he believed had faulted. The horrific death of the employee has raised questions over safety and health violations at the factory among workers and locals. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider They just handed off the injuries to another employer. The renamed Midvale Steel Works became best known for its its early experimentation with alloy . "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. No foul play is suspected in the incident, coronerJamie Harwood said, adding that the matter is under investigation by the sheriffs office and occupational safety and health administration, reported Peoria Journal Star. The company was established in 1867 in the Nicetown area of Germantown, Philadelphia by William Butcher. Dierkes death was the third in 30 years since Ron had started working there. The UAW betrayed two strikes by Caterpillar workers, in 1991-1992 and in a protracted 17-month-long strike in 1994-1995, which ended with the imposition of the hated two-tier system and a 30 percent cut in wages for new hires by 1998. 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. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational. The incident happened on Thursday, June 2, at . The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. Steven's family remembered him as a 'teddy bear of a man' who 'adored' his daughters. 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.. It was only the employees ninth day on the job. (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. An Illinois man died instantly after he allegedly fell into a vat of molten iron in early June. Having molten lead or gold poured down your throat, they . "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. Steven Dierkes, of Peoria, Illinois, died. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A veteran Caterpillar worker, who wishes to remain anonymous, told theWorld Socialist Web Site(WSWS), that Dierkes was taking a sample of iron for the met lab and apparently just tripped.. Its very punishing work with a lot of carpal tunnel and similar injuries. All comments will be published anonymously. Part of his body remained on the deck for the coroner to retrieve. The Midvale Steel Company manufactured steel parts for the railroad and the armaments industries. Side-effects may include nausea, diarrhea, high blood pressure, abdominal pain, mood disorders, and death. FILE: Construction machines of Caterpillar Inc. (Gen Yuhe/VCG via Getty Images / Getty Images). Share your story ideas and important issues with Caleb by emailing caleb.fernandez@kgun9.com or by connecting on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. Caterpillar has 15 working days to either comply with the proposed penalties, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings of the investigation. Kevin Downey. 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. Half of 39-year-old Steven Dierkess 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. Upon his death in 1871, the Butcher Steel Works was taken over by the principal stockholders. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Wang Long . Steven Dierkes, 39, from Peoria, who was working alongside a crucible at iron-melting factory. A 39-year-old Caterpillar worker, Steven Dierkes, died instantly last Thursday after falling into a molten iron crucible at the company's Mapleton, Illinois foundry. 0:00. He was melted in half. Dierkes was only on the ninth day of his new job when he died. Mr. Thompson, 55, saw the ladle drop and tried to run, but the molten metal caught up with him. Last December, Scott Adams of East Peoria fell to his death. 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). Dierkes, a resident of Peoria, was apparently working near the crucible, where different metals are melted at a temperature of over 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit, when he fell in. They dropped a 10-ton hook and block from an overhead gantry crane on a man during the strike, he said of the first fatality decades ago. "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.". At 10:00 a.m. on July 25, 2017, an employee was working in the iron foundry of a manufacturer of construction equipment. A 25-year-old electrician had a serious brush with death after falling into a 720 C vat of molten aluminium. His services were no longer needed. Deputies were called to the facility around 10 a.m. on Thursday morning in regards to an occupational accident, Peoria County Sheriffs Office Capt. A man was killed instantly at work after tripping and falling into a vat of molten iron which was almost 1,500C. 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. Thursday, November 10, 2022 MAPLETON, IL On June 2, 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. 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. On Dec. 17, 1997, while working at Steel Dynamics in Butler, Miller fell into a 5-foot-deep vat of 950-degree zinc. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The safety of our employees, contractors and visitors is our top priority at all Caterpillar locations around the world.". Scott M. Adams' identity was . I've moved away from my family. The incident happened on Thursday, June 2, at Caterpillar's facility in Mapleton in Central Illinois, Peoria County coroner Jamie Harwood said. Photo by Steven Dierkes / Facebook A father of three died instantly after. 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. Our melting area is physically connected but operationally independent. NOW WATCH: Truck drivers block roads in Brazil after far-right president loses reelection bid. They proposed a fine of $145,027 for foundry operator Caterpillar. 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.. We were into professional wrestling, so every Friday night, wed get together with friends and wed try wrestling moves on each other. This story originally appeared onThe Sunand was reproduced here with permission. 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. A father-of-three died when he fell into a vat of . Lean Jinghui | April 06, 2021, 05:47 PM . 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. We don't have any money. I dont know what time it happened but by 10:20 a.m. the entire facility was sent home. I say that because local media are little more than advertising for Caterpillar.. "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.". Worker dies in molten metal tragedy A 52-year-old man has died after falling into a vat of molten zinc. Kevin Downey, 49, fell five years after being hailed a hero for his actions after . Start your Independent Premium subscription today. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Fill out the form at the end of this report to share your experience about any workplace or safety issues at your facility. Man in China jumps into molten-steel furnace after allegedly losing money on stock market. Caterpillar workers: Wed like to hear from you. PEOPLE. Chris Watkins said. Make your voice heard! Steven Dierkes was working at the Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry in Illinois, US, when the accident occurred. OSHA cited Caterpillar Inc. for one willful violation. We naturally grew up together. I dont know what time it happened but by 10:20 a.m. the entire facility was sent home, the worker said. Once he reported [his] injury, he was discharged, Mitchell said. The dad-of-threes death comes six months after another deadly fall at the Mapleton foundry. In April 2020, a 47-year-old man also committed suicide in China for similar reasons by jumping from a high-rise building in a hospital in the city of Putian, the news outlet reported. Avalos Chanon fell into a running meat blender while cleaning it early June incident where a workers was. Peoria fell to his death out the form at the Mapleton facility top... The principal stockholders Downey, 49, fell five years after being hailed a hero for actions! Mr. Thompson, 55, saw the ladle drop and tried to run, but the being. Remained on the deck for the railroad and the armaments industries Mapleton facility your story ideas and important with! Marketing emails from Insider they just handed off the injuries to another employer 5-foot-deep vat 950-degree! From falls into equipment in industrial settings. `` Weibo expressed their sadness about Wangs.. 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