An Illinois man died immediately after tripping and partially falling into a bag of molten iron.
Peoria’s 39-year-old Stephen Dirks, who worked with a crucible at the Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry iron smelter, died in a “professional accident” last Thursday, said Peoria County Sheriff’s Captain Chris Watkins.
Peoria County lawmakers were called to the facility around 10 a.m. last week when a man fell into a bag of molten iron at 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit and died on the spot.
There is no suspicion of abuse in the incident, said Coroner Jamie Harwood, adding that the matter is under investigation by the sheriff’s office and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according to the Peoria Journal Star.
A spokeswoman for the foundry, Lisa Miller, said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of an employee who was involved in a serious accident at our facility in Mapleton, Illinois, on 2 June.
“Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of this employee. The safety of our employees, contractors and visitors is our top priority. ”
“He was taking an iron sample for the metal lab and apparently just stumbled,” an anonymous worker told the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS).
“He died instantly, but not all of them came in. Part of his body remained on deck so the coroner could pick it up.
Stephen Dirks, 39, survives his partner Jessica Suther and their three daughters
(Obituary / pjstar)
He said it must have been “disgusting for those people who witnessed waiting for the coroner with half of their colleagues lying on the floor.”
A factory worker said in a social media post, according to the website, that he had been at work for 5 days and did not have “enough training” to be on the iron floor.
Another worker, who identified himself as Ron, said the death occurred on one of the large smelters in the foundry’s main smelter.
“I haven’t seen the melting zone in years, let alone the melting deck itself, so I can’t report on the conditions. Our melting zone is physically connected, but operationally independent. The rumor spread quickly and people gathered, trying to figure out what had happened. “
The horrific death of the employee raised questions about the safety and health violations in the factory among workers and locals.
The tragic accident followed the death of 50-year-old Scott Adams, an electrician who also died after falling into the foundry in 2021. More than six months after his death, the investigation is still ongoing. He is said to have fallen from 20 feet while climbing the ladder.
According to his obituary, Dirkes survived by his partner Jessica Suther and their three daughters. He is remembered as “a hard-working teddy bear of a man with calloused hands and a tender heart.”
He added that he “would do anything for everyone without expecting anything in return”.
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