Worker Killed At Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry
Unsafe Premises - June 9, 2024
28-Year-Old Worker Killed In Industrial Accident At Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry
MAPLETON, ILLINOIS (June 9, 2024) – A 28-year-old worker has tragically died in an industrial accident at the Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry.
Peoria County officials are saying that the accident took place around 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. A 28-year-old worker was transferring molten metal from a large furnace into a smaller pot when the metal spilled out and hit him.
Paramedics were called to the Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry in order to help the victim. But he was simply beyond medical aid and likely died within seconds, according to the Peoria County Coroner.
A full investigation into the accident by OSHA remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Peoria County Industrial Accidents
Despite continued improvements in workplace safety standards, far too many workers are killed or seriously injured every year. According to OSHA, “There were 5,486 fatal work injuries in 2022 (3.7 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers).” The vast majority of these deaths were completely preventable. Metal foundries can be particularly dangerous. There are a number of steps that metal foundries should take in order to prevent accidents.
- Implement Safety Training: Employers should provide all workers with training that is always updated when new equipment is introduced.
- Personal Protective Equipment: Employers should provide workers with all of the safety equipment that they will need.
- Equipment Maintenance: All machinery within a metal foundry should be periodically inspected and adequately maintained.
- OSHA Guidelines: Every metal foundry should ensure that they are compliant with OSHA safety guidelines.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for any workplace accident. For example, the property owner or general contractor could be liable for failing to maintain a worksite in a reasonably safe condition. The company that manufactured a piece of equipment used in a workplace setting could also be liable for an accident if it was defective. Several steps should be taken after any workplace accident.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- The equipment involved in the accident should be examined.
- The accident report for the incident should be reviewed.
It can be hard to know where to begin after any workplace accident. To make matters worse, it can be difficult to get information about what may have caused any accident. It is important that workers and their families understand that they do have rights. In particular, the family of any worker who died on the job may be able to seek some measure of justice through a third-party liability claim.
Investigating Peoria County Industrial Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the worker who died at the Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about a Peoria County industrial accident? Our team of workplace safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that workers are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
