Letter to the Hon. James Frederick, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health - Dingell Calls on OSHA to Investigate Worker's Death at AK Steel

Letter

Dear Acting Assistant Secretary Frederick:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has long been the principal
government authority ensuring the health and safety of millions of hardworking men and women.
When new workplace safety concerns arise, OSHA has upgraded and adapted their guidelines
and standards to address these new issues and investigated potential violations of these safety
standards.

Companies should be held to the highest standard to guarantee that their employees receive
proper protections when working in dangerous environments. OSHA has a responsibility to
ensure that companies provide adequate protection for their workers and comply with stringent
safety regulations.

On July 16, 2021, Khaled Saleh Nasser, an employee of AK Steel, UAW member, and a
constituent of Michigan's 12th District, passed away at 3:15 A.M. after a fall from an elevated
catwalk on site. Cleveland-Cliffs, the parent company of AK Steel, has stated that Mr. Nasser
was conducting maintenance at the time of the fall. His death has drawn serious questions about
working conditions at the facility and the need to ensure that these workers are safe.

The Cleveland-Cliffs Dearborn Works facility employed 1,325 people as of last year and Mr.
Nasser's death highlights credible fears and concerns that more must be done to protect these
workers.

I request that OSHA conduct a full and thorough investigation into the workplace safety
standards and workplace management policies of this site. This investigation should include
addressing concerns highlighted by union and community members, employees, and others.
Additionally, I request the following from OSHA upon the completion of this investigation:

1. A detailed explanation of the current safety protocols for workers at this site, any
potential concerns, and the necessary actions that Cleveland-Cliffs must take in order to
comply with safety standards.
2. The process and frequency in which OSHA investigates and conducts reviews of current
worker protection policies at these sites to ensure that companies continue to comply with
current safety regulations.
3. Any history of complaints to workplace safety at this site and subsequent investigations
by OSHA.

It is crucial that we take cogent steps to ensure the protection of our workers, and that any
subsequent investigation into potential violations is timely and takes immediate action to abate
worker safety concerns.

Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.

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