Steel mills are a big part of our local economy. For almost 50 years, Indiana has been the top steel producer in the country. Steel has been big here for a very long time: the Illinois Steel Company, founded in 1889, ultimately grew into what we know today as U.S. Steel.
Some families here have had steel workers in their families for generations. Most of us realize steel mills offer a dangerous line of work to a courageous workforce who willingly faces deadly dangers every day. See, The Courage That’s Needed to Work in Steel Mills.
Indiana and Illinois: Top Steel Producers
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reports Indiana has 21 steel facilities, supporting over 160,000 full-time workers. Hoosiers go to work for steel companies like AK Steel; ArcelorMittal North America; Nippon Steel; Nucor; and U.S. Steel.
Illinois has 15 steel facilities, employing over 64,000 steel workers, according to the AISI. Along with mill services and manufacturing plants, Illinois steel companies are employing steel workers at raw steel facilities like Nucor’s mill in Bourbonnais; U.S. Steel’s operation in Granite City; and the ArcelorMittal North America steel mill in Riverdale.
Indiana and Illinois: Steel Industry in 2018
Last month, federal tariffs were placed on steel and aluminum with the goal of supporting the United States steel industry. See, “Indiana Economists Weigh in on Winners, Losers in Trump Steel Tariffs,” written by Samantha Horton and published on April 2, 2018, by WBAA/NPR.
Economists are debating how much this will help or hurt the overall economy of the country as well as the states of Indiana and Illinois. It’s agreed the tariffs will help the steel producers. The question is whether increasing steel prices will hurt other industries, like car makers who buy steel for their products.
This year, the local steel industry is moving ahead. For instance:
- AISI reported that Great Lakes steel production was rising nicely at the end of March.
- US Steel just announced it will restart steelmaking at Illinois’ Granite City
Things look rosy for steel’s future. Steel prices will be rising, and that is good news for steel producers in Indiana and Illinois. See, “Trump Steel Policy Hits Home In Illinois,” written by Phil Levy and published on March 30, 2018, by Forbes Magazine.
Extreme Danger to Steel Workers in Indiana and Illinois
Economic news is one thing, but for those that represent accident victims who are seriously hurt or killed while on the job in a steel mill accident, this raises other concerns.
How will these steel producers handle safety issues for their steel mill workers as they work to maximize their profits under the new tariffs and higher steel prices? Are mill workers in greater danger of injury now?
Steel mills are dangerous environments. We know steel mill workers face a high-risk work environment that includes:
- Work Site Dangers (Fire, Heat, Toxic Fumes, Molten Steel, etc.)
- Risk of Injury From Older (“Legacy”) Equipment and Outdated Machinery
- Asbestos Exposure | Mesothelioma.
See: Steel Mill Workers’ Risk of Injury on the Job: Equipment, Working Conditions
The reality is that steel mills are extremely hazardous working conditions. As the Indiana Department of Labor warns, steel mill work includes risks of harm to steel mill workers that include:
- Falling
- Struck by or against an object
- Caught in an object, equipment or material
- Exposure to toxins
- Overexertion
- Motor vehicle accidents.
Flouted Regulations
Steel mills are heavily regulated for worker safety. The Code of Federal Regulations includes standards for all sorts of steel facility issues, from walking-working surfaces (29 CFR 1910 Subpart D), to explosives and blasting agents (29 CFR 1910.109), to portable fire extinguishers (29 CFR 1910.157).
Once again, the reality of accident statistics has shown that regulations are not enough to keep workers safe. Having the safety regulations may define the duty of care for the steel mill producer, but it does not insure that the regulations are followed. All too often workers are hurt or killed because safety concerns have been ignored due to cost concerns, production deadlines, and profit motives.
Disregarded Innovations
Additionally, many steel companies have not made the effort to update their practices and procedures, or their equipment and machinery. Many steel facilities offer steel mill workers “legacy” equipment that is not only past its prime but outdated given industry advances.
For instance, installation of remote-controlled machines could provide much greater safety to a steel mill worker operating a furnace or a ladle holding molten steel.
Keeping up with facility innovations can make the workplace safer. Updating steel mill technologies will lessen the risk of harm to the steel mill worker. Why not install modern technologies in the steel mills of Indiana and Illinois? Could it be that the costs of updating the facilities will lessen corporate profits?
For more, read “Innovating for a Safer Workforce: Addressing an Aging Industry with Sophisticated Technology,” written by Peter Bigwood and published in the February 2018 issue of Iron and Steel Technology by the Association for Iron and Steel Technology.
Steel Workers Face Risk of Accident Injury
Our past steel mill representations have included serious and deadly steel mill accidents like explosions and falls. We understand that working in a steel mill here in Indiana or Illinois can be fatal.
Rising steel prices in 2018 will be a great incentive for steel companies to push workers to work harder while discounting the need for safety measures in order to maximize profits. The risk of serious or fatal accidents facing steel mill workers is real.
Those employed in the steel mills and steel facilities of Indiana and Illinois need to be alert and aware of their work site and the risks they face of serious injury or death on the job. Please be careful out there!
