After a federal investigation concluded that a Caterpillar employee died in a freak accident when he fell to his death in molten iron in June, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed a fine of over $145,000, according to reports.
Steven Dierkes, a 39-year-old employee at Mapleton foundry, Mapleton, Illinois was said to have been removing an iron sample form a furnace. Dierkes was said to have fallen into the 11-foot-deep, sand-covered pot. “heated to more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit,”According to a OSHA press release.
Dierkes died instantly, OSHA said.
“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,”Bill Donovan, OSHA Regional Administrator was quoted in a statement. “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.”
The foundry produces cast-iron components for the construction equipment maker. USA Today reported.
OSHA claimed that their investigation had revealed OSHA was guilty “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 has cited Caterpillar Inc., for one willful offense, and proposed $145,000.
“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,”Christine Zortman (OSHA Area Director) in Peoria, Illinois stated this in a press release. “We implore employers to review the agency specific regulations to protect workers from falls into equipment in industrial settings.”
Caterpillar is a world-leading manufacturer of industrial equipment and vehicles. The foundry is also owned by Caterpillar. The Telegraph.
Inside Edition Digital reached Caterpillar for comment. A Caterpillar spokeswoman issued a statement. “We continue to be 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 remain with this employee’s family, friends and colleagues. The safety of our employees, contractors and visitors is our top priority at all Caterpillar locations around the world. Regarding the serious safety incident that occurred, we will continue to engage with OSHA to seek an appropriate resolution to its review.”
OSHA claimed that “Caterpillar Inc. employs more than 800 workers at the foundry, who provide engine components used for construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.”