Factory worker dies at north Indiana ArcelorMittal mill

EAST CHICAGO, Ind.— A Porter County man has died after a machine part fell on him at an ArcelorMittal steel mill in East Chicago.

The Lake County coroner's office company says 33-year-old Jason Ham of Wheeler was pronounced dead from blunt force trauma at the scene of the accident late Wednesday.

The company issued a statement Thursday saying a preliminary investigation showed the mechanic was removing a hydraulic cylinder when something disturbed an arm supporting a pivot table, causing the table to pivot downward.

Indiana Department of Labor spokesman Marc Lotter says the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death.

IOSHA fined ArcelorMittal $12,250 after finding four serious violations in connection with a July 2009 death at the mill.