MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — A man is dead after an accident Tuesday at Middletown Works, an integrated steel operation owned by Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
Patricia Persico, a spokesperson with Cleveland Cliffs Inc., said the accident happened during planned maintenance of the hot strip mill. The employee died as a result of injuries sustained during routine activity, Persico said.
"Cleveland-Cliffs expresses its deepest sympathies to the employee's family and the company will provide the necessary support to the family during this difficult time," Persico wrote in a statement. "We will be conducting an investigation with representatives from International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and OSHA."
Persico did not provide additional information about how the accident occurred.
The employee has not been identified. The Butler County Coroner confirmed it was called to the scene in Middletown, but they have not yet released their findings.
According to OSHA records, several investigations have taken place over the past decade. In August 2019, OSHA reported an employee suffered foot injuries after getting caught in a pinch point. An explosion at the former AK Steel plant gave a worker serious burns on 78% of their body in April 2013. That worker later died. OSHA records show in that case, an informal settlement was reached totaling $5,700.
We know the facility was inspected by OSHA as recently as last week. A complaint was filed, and two inspections were done. The case is still listed as active. WCPO has put in an open records request for more documentation regarding the complaint, and inspection records.
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