In June, a worker at a Caterpillar-operated foundry in Mapleton died after falling into an 11-foot-deep pot of molten iron, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Federal investigators with the agency allege the 39-year-old employee’s death could have been prevented had Caterpillar installed safety guards or fall protection at the site as required by federal safety regulations.
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“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 Bill Donovan, OSHA’s regional administrator in Chicago, in a statement. The employee had worked for Caterpillar for only eight days before the deadly incident, OSHA said.
“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,” Donovan said.
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OSHA issued the company a citation for allegedly exposing workers at the Mapleton foundry to unprotected fall hazards into melting pots of molten iron at temperatures higher than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The agency has proposed a fine of $145,027.
In a statement, company spokesperson Lisa Miller said Caterpillar continued to be “deeply saddened” by the employee’s death and would “continue to engage with OSHA to seek an appropriate resolution to its review.”
“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,” Miller said.
Caterpillar has 15 days business days to either comply with the citations and penalties, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings, the agency said. According to a copy of the citation sent to the company from OSHA, the company must abate the alleged safety violations by Thursday.
Caterpillar announced in June it was moving its headquarters from Deerfield to Texas. The company employs more than 17,000 people in Illinois, with the majority of them working near Peoria. According to OSHA, more than 800 people work at the Mapleton foundry.
