Steelworker dies in accident

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BY ANDREA HOLECEK
holecek@nwitimes.com
219.933.3316 | Monday, March 24, 2008 | 9 comment(s)

EAST CHICAGO | Steelworker James Wingfield died Monday after he was crushed at ArcelorMittal's Indiana Harbor plant.

Wingfield, 55, of Munster, was working at the No. 4 basic oxygen furnace about 10 a.m. on the east side of the plant when he was crushed by a tundish cover, said Jim Robinson, United Steelworkers District 7 director. Wingfield was a mechanic at the mill and member of USW Local 1010, Robinson said.

A tundish distributes molten steel from the ladle into the mold in the caster, Robinson said.

Monday's accident is the second fatality at the ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor plant this year. Jason Belko, 23, of Hobart, was killed on Jan. 12 when he was pinned between a train and a dump truck near the blast furnaces on the west side of the Indiana Harbor plant.

A joint management/union safety investigation began immediately after Monday's accident, company spokesman David Allen said.

Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigators were on the scene shortly after the accident to begin IOSHA's investigation into the accident, said Jeff Carter, Indiana Deputy Commissioner of Labor.

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Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Times or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service

jmack wrote on Mar 30, 2008 3:57 PM:

" My thoughts and prayers are with the family. My neighbor was there when it happened and said it was no fault of anyone's it was a completely freak accident. A piece of mechanical equipment failed. It seems everyone is trying to point the finger and blame everyone else when the main concern should be the family and the tragic loss of James. He will truly be missed by all. "

Fran wrote on Mar 28, 2008 7:03 AM:

" I pray for James,his family and loved ones during this tragic time, as a member of USW Local 1196 I know James Local 1010 will do everything they can for his family, they will investigate this accident and make sure it will never happen again. Unions were built on worker Safety and Health, and when one hurts we all hurt. "

Janette Reitmeier wrote on Mar 27, 2008 10:11 PM:

" The mills are a dangerous place, but Jason was not killed bc he was doing something wrong. He did everything he was supposed to do. Jason was killed bc someone else was being ignorant. He was killed bc someone was slacking off and not paying attention. "

Mark wrote on Mar 24, 2008 11:55 PM:

" People do stupid things everyday, just because they also happen in the mills does not relegate blame to the companies employing these fine men and women. Experienced workers in the mill have been known to take short cuts and find ways of doing jobs faster. The story says the deceased was a maintenance technician, this is a very dangerous job period. "

|RedWolf| wrote on Mar 24, 2008 10:20 PM:

" thanks all I am a family member, it was my 2nd cousin, that was killed.. The issues that have happened, hurts the family, can something be done about the safety for the workers? Where was the supervisor??? Who is to blame?? "

Melissa wrote on Mar 24, 2008 9:52 PM:

" My father works at the same steel mill, I know how dangerous it can be. I am so sorry for this tragic and untimely death. My prayers and sympathy are with the family. I am so sorry for your loss. "

Porter County Rez wrote on Mar 24, 2008 8:11 PM:

" Steel mills are such a dangerous place.
Just today the Times ran a story on the family of Jason Belko who was killed at the same mill in January . My heart goes out to both families . "

s wrote on Mar 24, 2008 3:20 PM:

" My heart goes out to his family. I personally know someone who works at the Burns Harbor Mittal...where is the safety? Are they jeopardizing safety for the production of steel? "

Nicole wrote on Mar 24, 2008 3:15 PM:

" I work in a mill, this is so sad, I have your family in my thoughts. God Bless You all. "

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