Employee dies after getting pinned between door machines at Cleveland-Cliffs plant in Monessen

MONESSEN, Pa. — An employee was killed in an apparent workplace accident Sunday at the Cleveland-Cliffs coke plant in Monessen.

A Westmoreland County 911 supervisor says first responders were dispatched to the plant at 4:15 p.m.

The employee became “pinned between two door machines,” according to the Westmoreland County Office of the Coroner.

Jeffrey Smith, 53, of Newell, was pronounced dead, the coroner’s office says.

His cause and manner of death are pending autopsy and toxicology results.

Monessen police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating.

Cleveland Cliffs released a statement following the fatal accident:

“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.”

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