Worker at south side plant dies after being crushed when overhead crane fails

Authorities Wednesday were investigating the death of a Milwaukee industrial worker who was crushed when an overhead crane failed.

The accident, which fatally injured 42-year-old Kelvis Price, happened Monday afternoon at Russel Metals Inc., 999 W. Armour Ave., on the far south side.

According to the medical examiner’s report, Price had been using a magnetic crane to lift a large steel plate when one of the magnets failed. The metal fell, striking Price and severely injuring him. He died Tuesday evening at Froedtert Hospital.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the company and the United Steelworkers union are working to determine the cause of the accident. The Steelworkers represent about 45 employees at the plant.

Price had worked at Russel Metals and had been a member of the Steelworkers for 19 years, said Ross Winklbauer Sr., the union’s subdistrict director for southern Wisconsin. Winklbauer said Price’s father also once had worked at the plant.

“It’s a very sad day,” Winklbauer said.

In a statement, the company said it too is “extremely saddened by this accident” and that “our deepest sympathy and condolences are with the family.”

Russel Metals is a publicly traded firm based in Mississauga, Ontario. It describes itself as one of the largest metals distribution companies in North America.

The Milwaukee plant is a “service center,” an operation that stocks steel and other metals in a wide range of sizes and shapes and can cut the pieces to customers’ specifications.