Medical examiner: Caterpillar worker injured on the job dies from his injuries
May 15, 2018
SOUTH MILWAUKEE, WI —
The Caterpillar worker injured after being struck by a steel plate Thursday, May 10 has died, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed.
The medical examiner’s office identified the man as 60-year-old Steven Wade of Oak Creek. He died from his injuries on Monday, May 14.
Officials say Wade was welding plates at the time of the incident.
Caterpillar released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the death of our employee who was involved in an incident in our South Milwaukee facility on May 10. Our thoughts and prayers are with this employee’s family, friends and co-workers. The company has arranged for counseling to be available to employees who may request it.”
“We strive each day to have a safe workspace for our employees, contractors and visitors. Caterpillar is a company firmly committed to protecting the health and safety of its employees at the South Milwaukee facility and at all Caterpillar facilities around the world.”
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been involved in the investigation of the incident.
OSHA has up to six months to complete its investigation, and issue citations and propose penalties if violations of health and safety regulations are found.
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Medical examiner releases the name of Oak Creek man killed in Caterpillar accident
Erik S. Hanley, Now News Group Published 12:14 p.m. CT May 15, 2018 | Updated 2:05 p.m. CT May 15, 2018
Buy Photo(Photo: Erik S. Hanley, Now News Group)
SOUTH MILWAUKEE - The 60-year-old Caterpillar employee struck by a heavy metal plate May 10 has died.
Steven E. Wade of Oak Creek was pronounced dead May 14 as a result of his injuries, according to a report released May 15 by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner.
Wade was admitted May 10 to Froedtert Hospital, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., for "traumatic crushing injuries from a work-related accident," the report stated. He suffered several rib fractures, a collapsed lung, asphyxia, spinal fractures, and developed seizures, according to the report.
"We are deeply saddened by the death of our employee who was involved in an incident in our South Milwaukee facility on May 10," Lisa Miller, media relations for Caterpillar, said in a statement May 15. "Our thoughts and prayers are with this employee’s family, friends, and co-workers."
As the company did after the incident occurred, Caterpillar is again offering counseling to any employees who request it.
Wade was working in the weld shop at Caterpillar, Inc., 1100 Milwaukee Ave., when he was seriously injured by a heavy steel plate. Police received a call about the accident at 2:01 p.m., according to a news release from the South Milwaukee Police Department.
Following the accident, production employees were sent home for the day, Miller said.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating along with the South Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.