Company fined after worker dies from fall into pot of molten iron twice as hot as lava

November 16, 2022, 6:57 AMOne 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.

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.

Caterpillar, a Fortune 500 corporation and construction equipment manufacturer, was cited for one willful violation and fined $145,027 by OSHA, according to OSHA’s statement announcing the punishment."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.

Federal safety regulations require employers to install guardrails and restraint systems to protect workers from falls into dangerous equipment like Dierkes suffered."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.

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.

Here in Brazil 11/19/2022 Federal Police investigate FGV and case may reach STF. What does Judge Gilmar Mendes do? Suspend investigation. If that's not a confession to the crime, I don't know what is

Way cheaper to pay the 145,000 than meet the requirements. Raise the fine to 50 million, if you can’t keep people alive for a shift that’s worth 50 million I would think

At least it was quick. Caterpillar must build Galactic Empire star ships - they are usually void of guard rails too.

Omg.

1. This is a joke line from the new alyankovic biopic abt an open industrial shredder. 2. 145,000$ fine for a multi-billion $ company isnt even a slap on the wrist. Its like a dirty look someone gives you after you use the airplane toilet too long. Forgotten quickly

Oops.

Wow that’s graphic. Thanks but didn’t they teach you to write concise headlines ?

So a life is only worth $145,000? Negligent and responsible for this tragedy, that’s a drop in the bucket to Caterpillar…I hope the family sues for millions. Shameful.

Vaporized wow!

Well.. that's a new fear I didn't realize I had until now. RIP to the employee, wtf.

I hope his family sues the crap outta that company. Completely unacceptable that they allowed this to happen.

Omg what a horrible way to go 😥

So no benefits? 90 days probationary period not 9 days.

OMG! 😢

Owwwww 😨

So very very sad. Prayers 🙏 to his family in their tragic loss

This is so sad. My condolences to the whole family

Fined $150,000! Disgrace

Hope his family finds peace in the fact he never suffered. I've worked in those environments and that shit is SO hot you'd be INSTANTLY vaporized. No pain whatsoever I'm guessing.

I can’t even imagine - that poor man.

Sad.. May he find rest in the world beyond. Amen 🕊

Absolutely horrific.

Melting Specialist? Poor choice for a job title if you ask me. RIP

$149,000 that's what a life is worth to OSHA and Caterpillar

he's damn near got me ready to bench my guy Pickens, get it together man!

Not a Tygarian then

All the corporation suffered for killing this guy? $145,000 fine. For a corporation that makes billions. Amazing disrespect for the man that lost his life for nothing.

Did he just….melt?

Sadly, not enough of a fine for a life. CaterpillarInc

Fck. Whatta way to go. RIP worker.

Wtf

Dude will never be President again, WHY? Because he was TERRIBLE the first time, NO DO OVERS!!! NO ENTITLEMENTS!!!

Jesus. There is no body

Didn’t even get a first check

Horrifying...the way to die and the punishment.

A fine of $150,000. Wtf.

He jumped because of Joe Biden and hideous policy's.

oh my god

Awful

Oh wow a multi billion dollar company got fined 150K for a preventable death 🙄

We ALL KNOW that thugs get hired into the SteelMill by rich people that want PERSONAL karma. If you get hired PLEASE KNOW…

The fine levied against them is a joke. What an insult! And a terrible way to die.

a fine means it's legal for rich people and corporations

That $145k fine will surely teach this multimillion dollar corporation a valuable lesson!

$145,027 for a company that makes $7.3 billion in profits every year. That’s like you murdering someone and they fine you five cents as “punishment.”

Jesus

So sad..

CATERPILLER $145k Fine for killing a 39 yo new employee thru negligence of safety standards. Is OSHA still headed by a trump appointee?

It seems this article is missing a key bit of information. What percentage of Caterpillar's revenue does this fine represent? Is it enough to incentivize them to implement the needed safety measures? Or does it just legalize negligent homicide for the bargain price of ~$145k?

Horrific

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