Caterpillar did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, sent outside normal working hours. NOW WATCH: Truck drivers block roads in Brazil after far-right president loses reelection bid. Legal Statement. We were into professional wrestling, so every Friday night, wed get together with friends and wed try wrestling moves on each other. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. They didnt fix the job. Caterpillar, a Fortune 500 corporation and construction equipment manufacturer, was cited for one willful violation and fined $145,027 by OSHA, according to OSHAs statement announcing the punishment. MAPLETON, Ill. (Gray News) 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 Safety and Health Administration. The incident occurred at Caterpillar's foundry in Mapleton, Illinois on June 2, 2022. He lost more than one million yuan (equivalent to 152,000 US dollars) on the stock exchange, the police said in a statement. Long reportedly committed suicide after losing money in the stock market. 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 . Dierkes' death was the second to occur at the Mapleton foundry in six months. 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. He died instantly, but not all of him went in. 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. Another employee claimed on social media that Dierkes had only been there for five days and didnt have sufficient training to be on the iron floor, according to WSWS. 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. The employee removed the guards and laid on the rollers then saw the broken chain and pulled out with his hands and counted the links on the damaged chain. A 25-year-old electrician had a serious brush with death after falling into a 720 C vat of molten aluminium. Tell us what conditions are like in your workplace. Once he reported [his] injury, he was discharged, Mitchell said. Chris Watkins said. 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. Federal safety regulations require employers to install guardrails and restraint systems to protect workers from falls into dangerous equipment like Dierkes suffered. He had lost over a million yuan $152,000 in the stock market, officials said. On June 2, a 39-year-old melting specialist died at a Caterpillar-owned foundry in Mapleton, Illinois, after falling into an "11-foot-deep" pot of molten iron that had been heated to over. The throat mucus layer had been completely burned off, and the muscle was cooked or damaged to the depth of about 1 cm, they report. 0:57. 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. In December 2021, 50-year-old Scott M. Adams also took a fatal plunge in the factory. As a leek [a term for individual stock investors in China] like him, I sympathize with him, one person said. He died instantly, but not all of him went in. "We implore employers to review the agency specific regulations to protect workers from falls into equipment in industrial settings.". Caterpillar workers: We want to hear from you. 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 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. Ron was unable to report on the conditions of the foundry melting area. Watch David Norths remarks commemorating 25 years of the World Socialist Web Site and donate today. 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). 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 . A disturbing surveillance video allegedly showing a man jumping into a blast furnace and taking his own life has shocked Chinese internet users. "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.". Caterpillar has 15 business days penalties to comply, request a conference or contest the findings. What are we going to do? He was fired for not letting the part fall., Mitchell reported that since Caterpillar eliminated a line at the foundry in 2013, the company made the conditions even more dangerous. 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. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US . According to his obituary, Dierkes is survived by his partner Jessica Sutter and their three daughters. Those injuries are still happening.. In April 2020, a 47-year-old man committed suicide by jumping from a tall building in Putian City, Fujian Province. FAQ - New Privacy Policy, Check out what's clicking on FoxBusiness.com. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. 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. Wang Long . 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. Its very punishing work with a lot of carpal tunnel and similar injuries. 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. The dad-of-threes death comes six months after another deadly fall at the Mapleton foundry. An Illinois man died instantly after he allegedly fell into a vat of molten iron in early June. China Steel Factory Suicide "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. Steven Dierkes, 39, from Peoria, who was working alongside a crucible at iron-melting factory. Place is dangerous AF and doesn't leave much room for stupid even with all the safety regs. Federal investigators say inadequate safety protections may be to blame for the worker's death. A father-of-three died when he fell into a vat of molten iron, a coroner has said. 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. All comments will be published anonymously. "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. (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. The recent history of OSHA violations point to a pattern of unsafe conditions for workers. Steven Dierkes was working at the Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry in Illinois, US, when the accident occurred. Another worker, who identified himself as Ron, said the death occurred on one of the large melters in the main foundry melting area. A federal investigation determined that, if proper safety guards had been installed, the death could have been avoided, OSHA said. 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. Word spread fast and people were gathering trying to find out what happened.. 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. "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.". Harwood said the Thursday incident which took place at theCaterpillarMapleton Foundry was accidental and no foul play is suspected, thePeoria Journal Starreports. This is the second death of a worker in the last six months at the Caterpillar facility, which has faced increasing safety violations in recent years. An Illinois man died instantly after tripping and partially falling into a vat of molten iron. 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. Steven Dierkes, 39, was left with half his body lying on a factory floor after he . has received a violation and faces $145,027 worth in fines. 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The five injured employees were standing around the pit, Cambria County . Caterpillar was fined $145,027 by OSHA for for not installing a guardrail or travel restraint at a foundry outside Peoria. Make your voice heard! {Read More: The death of Steven Dierkes: A victim of Americas industrial slaughterhouse}, Steven Dierkes lived down the street from me when we were kids, said Jermaine Pigee, who mourned his friends death in a social media post. He is survived by his life partner Jessica Sutter and their three daughters. 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. Steven Dierkes, 39, was killed instantly when he stumbled into . 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One of the world's biggest manufacturers of industrial vehicles and equipment has been cited and penalized for . 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 report noted: An employee was repairing a broken chain on an overhead conveyor system. Steven Dierkes, 39, was working near a crucible . Investigators say if safety guards were installed, if might have prevented the accident. More than six months after his death, the investigation is still underway. 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. Adams is believed to have fallen over 20 feet through a hole in the floor, OSHA said. The incident took place at the Caterpillar foundry in Mapleton, the Peoria County coroner told the Peoria Journal Star. 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. When he arrived at St. Joseph Medical Center in Fort Wayne, molten metal had . Four thousand pounds of molten steel poured into an open pit after the lid blew off a caster at the foundry Wednesday at 5 p.m. The union has also done nothing to protect workers from the unsafe conditions workers face since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was told to the members in a factory meeting. In January 2019, OSHA fined Caterpillar $10,419 for an incident where a workers finger was severed on the job at the facility. Gordon Hickman, 41, was operating a massive ladle near the rim of the 35-foot pit just before noon when he fell into it, moments before the 2,600-degree steel was poured in, said Battalion Chief John Whitlatch of the Canton Fire Department. The UAW has done nothing to stop the increasing safety hazards happening, as the repeat violations and injuries at the facility reveal. All comments will be kept anonymous. 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 service celebrating his life will take place on June 9, 2022, at noon in Bloomington, Illinois. Caterpillar workers: Wed like to hear from you. Then, wed play video games all night. The incident happened on Thursday, June 2, at . Another Caterpillar worker moved his wife and eight children from Oklahoma to find work at the Mapleton facility. What a pity that he lost his life at such a young age!. In a perfunctory and hollow statement, a spokesperson for Caterpillar stated, 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 chair rolled out from underneath the employee. It was only the employees ninth day on the job. 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. An investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as the sheriff and coroners offices is presently underway. Full details have not been released by OSHA for either case. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. I havent seen the melting area in years, let alone the melt deck itself, so I cannot report what conditions are like. 2. Federal safety regulations require employers to install guardrails and restraint systems to protect workers from falls into dangerous equipment like Dierkes suffered. 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 . 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided byRefinitiv Lipper. Kevin Downey, 49, fell five years after being hailed a hero for his actions after . "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. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He had been on a gantry at a galvanising factory in Witham, Essex. A worker at a Caterpillar foundry died instantly after he fell into a crucible at the Illinois worksite, officials say, according to media reports. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational. The safety of our employees, contractors and visitors is our top priority.. Deputies were called to the facility around 10 a.m. on Thursday morning in regards to an occupational accident, Peoria County Sheriffs Office Capt. So, I guess that's somewhat comforting. OSHA cited Caterpillar Inc. for one willful violation. Part of his body remained on the deck for the coroner to retrieve. 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 employee was. 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 company said Wang went missing March 24 while on night duty at the facility, prompting a search by fellow workers. Water gushes for days with no one stopping it, Couple had 'no respect' dumping close to a church, ABC13 viewer says, Mom's purse snatched while picking up child from daycare, police say. We naturally grew up together. Caterpillars failure to meet its legal responsibilities to ensure the safety and health of workers leaves this workers family, friends and co-workers to grieve needlessly, OSHA Area Director Christine Zortman said. Steven Dierkes, 39, was taking a sample from the 1,400C crucible when he tripped and fell in, killing him. One of them being, if the hooks fall out of the block or gating or whatever just get back and let it all fall. That job was sent out to a contractor and they continued to do that very same job in that very same spot on the floor, with the very same equipment that our people did., Caterpillar outsourced work in order to reduce workers compensation payments, Mitchell alleged. 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. 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. I guess that & # x27 ; t leave much room for stupid even with all safety! Af and doesn & # x27 ; t leave much room for stupid even with all safety. Travel restraint at a galvanising factory in Witham, Essex outside normal working hours the 's. 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