Andrew Bengel Killed in Industrial Accident at Alton Steel Inc

Unsafe Premises - July 30, 2026

Andrew Bengel, of Waterford, Pennsylvania, Died in Crane Accident at Alton Steel Inc. After Being Hit by Heavy Chain

ALTON, ILLINOIS (July 29, 2026) – A 56-year-old worker identified as Andrew Bengel has tragically died in a crane accident at Alton Steel Inc along 5 Cut Street.

Madison County officials are saying that the incident occurred around 10:42 AM on Monday, July 20. Andrew Bengel was in a construction area at the business when he was hit by a heavy chain as a crane was operating some type of overhead lift assembly.

Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the injured victim. He sustained major blunt force trauma to his chest and abdomen.

Despite life-saving measures, Andrew Bengel died due to the severe nature of his injuries. A full investigation by OSHA remains ongoing.

This tragedy comes just a little over a week before Alton Steel Inc is scheduled to be closed permanently.

Liability for Alton Industrial Accidents

Employers in Illinois have a legal obligation to take reasonable precautions to protect their workers from foreseeable sources of harm. According to 29 U.S.C. § 654(a)(1), “each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” Manufacturing facilities should take a number of measures to protect workers from industrial accidents.

• Hazard Assessment: Employers should conduct a formal hazard assessment that prioritizes maintenance and OSHA safety regulations.
• Machine Guards: Employers should install and maintain machine guards around blades, belts, presses and other potentially dangerous pieces of equipment.
• Training: Employers should ensure that all of their workers are trained in the proper lockout/tagout procedures.
• Certifications: Employers should ensure that only workers with the correct certifications are allowed to handle cranes and other pieces of heavy machinery.

When a worker is injured or killed in the state of Illinois, they or their surviving family members probably have recourse through workers’ compensation. The system operates through a no-fault insurance claim process. There’s no need for an injured worker to demonstrate that one or another party acted negligently. In addition to workers’ compensation, injured workers and their family members may be able to pursue damages through a third-party liability claim. A third-party liability claim may be possible if an entity separate from the worker’s employer contributed to an accident.

Third-Party Liability for Alton Industrial Accidents

Manufacturing plants can be very dangerous places in the best of circumstances. Many workers are seriously injured or killed each year in preventable accidents at manufacturing plants. According to one report from Manufacturing Dive, “The manufacturing industry saw 355 workplace fatalities in 2024, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released Thursday.” There could be several sources of potential third-party liability for any industrial accident in Illinois.

• General Contractor: A general contractor could face direct liability for negligence if they retained direct control of safety at the site and failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent accidents.
• Subcontractors: A subcontractor that may have been using a crane or other piece of heavy equipment could also potentially be responsible. Manufacturing plants typically make use of numerous contractors and subcontractors that work alongside employees.
• Product Manufacturer: A company that produced a piece of industrial equipment like a crane or rigging equipment could potentially be liable for an accident if that product was defective in some way.
• Rental Company: A company that rented or leased industrial equipment could be legally responsible for an accident on the premise that they did not maintain their equipment in a safe condition.

Accidents at manufacturing plants are typically highly complex. The factors that may contribute to any specific incident could take place long before the actual event. Unfortunately, employers and their insurance providers are not likely to admit fault when negligence causes a worker to be seriously injured or killed. This is why it is so important that these incidents are investigated by an outside party. Among other things, the history of prior incidents at the site location should be taken into consideration.

Investigating Alton Manufacturing Accidents

Horwitz Horwitz & Associates offers our deepest condolences to the family of Andrew Bengel. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many safety questions have yet to be answered. Who was responsible for rigging the overhead lift? Were all OSHA regulations being followed? This death is a tremendous loss for the local community that is also struggling from the closure of a major employer in the area.

Do you need more information about an Alton manufacturing accident? Our team of workplace safety advocates is here to assist you. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and protecting those rights through skilled advocacy. No matter what you may be dealing with, our team will make a good faith effort to help you. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into the unique circumstances of any accident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.