OSHA Finds 6 Serious Violations in Death of Joliet Worker at Plainfield Business

PLAINFIELD, IL — A federal investigation prompted by the death of a 50-year-old worker at a Plainfield steel processing facility has resulted in a half-dozen safety and health violations.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued six serious safety and health violations to Coilplus Illinois Inc., for violations its inspector found after a June 23 death, according to an OSHA news release.

Agency investigators determined the worker, Carlos Rivera, 50, of Joliet, was standing on a pneumatic platform removing metal scrap from the scrap pit when a piece of the metal scrap allegedly snagged the pneumatic line, causing it to disconnect and for the platform to return to a vertical position. When it did, the employee fell into the scrap pit where the metal trim entangled the man until the baler below pulled him through, resulting in his death.

The agency also found Coilplus failed to:

• Evaluate for permit required confined spaces including posting danger signs.
• Install handrails on stairways.
• Affix lockout devices to isolate energy prior to allow employees to enter machine hazard areas.
• Conduct periodic inspections of machine safety procedures.
• Lacked guarding around machines to prevent workers for entering hazard areas.
• Did not have adequate guardrails around the scrap pit area, exposing workers to a 9-foot fall.

"A man died tragically and his family, friends and co-workers are left to suffer an overwhelming loss," said Kathy Webb, OSHA's area director in Calumet City. "Coilplus needs to make immediate changes to its safety and health programs to ensure workers are guarded from machine hazards at its facilities nationwide."
OSHA has proposed penalties of $53,628. View current safety and health citations.

Coilplus Illinois is one of nine U.S. facilities operated by Rosemont-based Coilplus, which also has plants in Canada and Mexico. Coilplus is an operating subsidiary of Metal One Holdings America, also based in Rosemont. Metal One Holdings America, Inc. operates as a joint venture between Mitsubishi Corporation and Sojitz Corporation.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.