Worker dies after being pinned by machinery at Cleveland-Cliffs plant in Monessen
MONESSEN, Pa. —
A worker at the Cleveland-Cliffs plant in Monessen, Westmoreland County, died after an accident involving machinery, officials said.
The coroner was called to the plant on Donner Avenue just after 4 p.m. Sunday. He said 53-year-old Jeffrey Smith died after getting pinned between two door machines.
“It is a blow to the community,” Monessen police Chief David Yuhasz said. “Crews were doing life-saving measures on the patient. Unfortunately, it did not work.”
OSHA is now investigating the incident. Monessen police and United Steelworkers are assisting.
Cleveland Cliffs released the following statement to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4:
“Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. confirms that a fatal accident occurred at its Monessen site on Sunday. We are deeply saddened by this incident, and our thoughts are with our employee’s family, friends, and coworkers.
This incident is being investigated by representatives from Cleveland-Cliffs, the United Steelworkers, along with local authorities. There are no disruptions to the Monessen operation.”
Bernie Hall, Director of USW District 10, issued the following statement:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with our fallen Brother’s family in the wake of this tragedy. Our union’s health and safety team is already on the ground to assist in the investigation and provide support for family and coworkers. We will also continue to work with management and authorities in the coming weeks and months as we seek to understand what caused and contributed to this fatality.”
OSHA could not be reached for comment on Monday.
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