In this tragic story, a man lost his life after falling into a pot of molten iron at work. The company he worked for has been fined after an investigation revealed that they had failed to properly safety-proof the area.
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 was only on the ninth day of his new job when he died.
“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. “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.”
This is a tragic story, and a reminder of how important it is to always be aware of your surroundings and take proper safety precautions at work. Unfortunately, accidents like this do happen, and sometimes they can be fatal. If you or someone you know has been injured at work, it’s important to know your rights and get the compensation you deserve. Speak to my experienced Houston Work Injury attorneys to get the justice you deserve.
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