BURNS HARBOR, Ind. — A local family is grieving after a father of six lost his life in a workplace accident at the Cleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor steel plant in northwest Indiana.
Jonathan Stepp was operating a pot hauler at the facility Thursday night when the accident occurred, according to officials with the United Steelworkers Union. Details about exactly what happened have not yet been made public.
Stepp worked as a second-generation operating engineer and was a member of IUOE Local 150. In a social media post, the union asked its members and the wider community to rally behind his family during this painful time.
“IUOE Local 150 is asking our members, friends, and supporters to stand with the family of Brother Jonathan Stepp,” the union wrote, adding, “Now is the time to show Jonathan’s children that they are not alone.”
Stepp was employed by Phoenix Services, a contracting company that operates at the Burns Harbor plant. The company’s parent organization, SunCoke Energy, confirmed the loss in a statement Friday.
“Thursday night, we suffered the tragic loss of one of our employees at our Burns Harbor, Indiana operations. Our hearts are with his family, and we are supporting them and our team during this difficult time,” said Sharon Doyle, manager of Investor Relations & Treasury at SunCoke Energy.
Doyle added that the company is working closely with investigators. “The safety of our employees is our highest priority. We have been in contact with Indiana OSHA and are fully cooperating with the agency, local authorities, and emergency responders to investigate the incident.”
An online fundraiser has been set up to support Stepp’s six children as the family navigates the days ahead. Community members and coworkers have already begun sharing messages of support and condolences.
The investigation into the circumstances of Stepp’s death remains ongoing, and further details are expected as authorities complete their review.