For the second time in 2024, a Caterpillar facility in the Peoria area was the site of the death of a worker on the job.
Justin Perry, a 36-year-old subcontractor from Michigan, was killed Aug. 7 after he got stuck underneath an electrical box at the company's proving ground facility in rural Washington. It marks the latest in a series of deadly incidents at Caterpillar facilities in central Illinois.
With the Occupational Safety and Health Administration working on a second investigation into Caterpillar this summer, here's a look at the prior accidents and the aftermath of the investigations:
More:Man who died in Caterpillar proving ground accident near Peoria has been identified
Dec. 23, 2021
A 50-year-old man working as a contractor for Schaefer Electric was killed at the company's Mapleton foundry when he stepped off a ladder and fell more than 20 feet to the floor below.
Scott W. Adams of Germantown Hills was an electrician with the company for 27 years, having gone through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers' five-year apprenticeship program before being hired.
OSHA opened an investigation into the incident.
Caterpillar said in a statement that they were "deeply saddened" by Adams' death and made sure to "strive each day to have a safe workspace for our employees, contractors and visitors."
June 2, 2022
Steven Dierkes, a 39-year-old Peoria man, was killed at the Mapleton foundry when he fell into a crucible. Peoria County sheriff's deputies had been called to the facility around 10 a.m. that morning to respond to the accident.
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said that Dierkes died instantly after falling into the liquid metal below but that no foul play was suspected.
Dierkes had been in the manufacturing industry for much of his life and was a graduate of the Illinois Welding School.
OSHA began a further investigation into Caterpillar and the accident.
More:OSHA: Caterpillar failed to prevent Peoria worker's fatal fall into crucible in Mapleton, IL
June 27, 2022
OSHA released its report into Adams' death, citing both Schaefer and Illinois Crane for failing to ensure employees' safety as required by federal law.
The agency's investigation revealed that Illinois Crane failed to protect Adams by not providing personal fall arrest systems, adequate floor hole covers or a guardrail system. Schaefer was cited for not evaluating the site for hazards and for not training workers to recognize potential falls or take appropriate precautions to ensure their safety.
Combined, the two companies were fined a total of $97,167.
More:OSHA cites 2 contractors in connection with 2021 death at Caterpillar foundry in Mapleton
Nov. 9, 2022
OSHA's report into Dierkes' death cited Caterpillar for not having appropriate safety measures that could have prevented his death.
The agency said that the company "routinely exposed employees to unprotected fall hazards as they worked within four feet of deep ceramic containers of super-heated molten iron." The company was also accused of not installing a guardrail that could have saved Dierkes' life.
Facing a fine of $145,027, OSHA's area director Christine Zortman said that Caterpillar provided needless grief for Dierkes' family.
"Caterpillar’s failure to meet its legal responsibilities to ensure the safety and health of workers leaves this worker’s family, friends and co-workers to grieve needlessly," Zortman said.
Caterpillar spokesperson Lisa Miller said the company would work with OSHA on resolving the situation.
June 6, 2024
Daulton Simmers, a 28-year-old from West Peoria, was killed at the foundry after he was trying to transfer molten metal from a large furnace into a smaller pot. According to Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins, the metal spilled out and engulfed him in flames.
According to Harwood, Simmers suffered severe thermal burns and likely died within seconds.
Caterpillar said in a statement that it was "deeply saddened" by Simmers' death and would cooperate with authorities during the investigation.
OSHA is still investigating the third death in three years at the Mapleton foundry, one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. It employs over 800 employees, according to the company.
More:Death of West Peoria man at Caterpillar foundry 'leaves a void in the hearts of many'
Aug. 7, 2024
Perry, a subcontractor, was killed at the company's proving ground in rural Washington after he got stuck underneath a electrical control box.
According to the Tazewell County Coroner's Office, Perry died due to compressional asphyxia.
OSHA opened an investigation into the incident, the second time this year the agency is investigating Caterpillar for potential safety violations. The company said in a statement it was "deeply saddened" by Perry's death and planned to work with authorities in their investigation.
More:Three deaths in three years: A timeline of incidents at Caterpillar's Mapleton foundry
