Indiana OSHA Fines Steel Mill $21,000 For Safety Violations That Lead to Worker’s Death
Findings from inspections that occurred between July and November resulted in three fines of $7,000.
- By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
- Jan 11, 2021
The state of Indiana fined an East Chicago steel mill $21,000 for safety violations connected to a workers’ death in July, according to The Times of Northwest Indiana.
An employee at the ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor steel mill died after being struck by a coil tractor at work. Indiana OSHA issued fines to the mill after discovering conditions that were not in line with the states’ Occupational Safety and Health Act. More specifically, it was deduced that the steelworkers were “exposed to hazards when they walked through a high-traffic area” in which the coil tractor was operating.
“Industrial trucks were being placed in services after the examination showed conditions adversely affecting the safety of the vehicle,” said the Indiana Department of Labor. “Employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when defects found on the Royal Ram T600C/SP coil tractor, including a non-operational horn, was found, reported and not immediately corrected.”
The $21,000 fine is the result of three separately issued fines of $7,000. The first was given for the hazard involving the coil tractor, while the second was given when Indiana OSHA discovered that the coil tractor did not have a working horn. The third and final fine was issued due to the mill operating the tractor despite knowing that the horn was not working.
About the Author
Nikki Johnson-Bolden is an Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety.