The Fatal Incident at Pueblo’s Rail Giant
On August 9, 2024, 26-year-old Taylor Blake Gulliford was performing maintenance at the EVRAZ North America rail mill in Pueblo, Colorado. He was working on a large mechanical unit known as a stamp wheel, a device crucial to forming railway rails. Tragically, the stamp wheel was not fully deactivated or locked into a safe position. It shifted unexpectedly, pinning Gulliford against a guardrail and causing catastrophic injuries. He died on the spot.
OSHA’s Investigation & Regulatory Repercussions
Following the incident, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) launched an investigation. OSHA concluded that EVRAZ had failed to implement proper lockout/tagout protocols, which are designed to prevent machinery from activating during maintenance. The agency also noted that the company did not provide adequate employee training for such procedures.
Four violations were officially recorded, each with fines ranging from $13,005 to $16,550, amounting to a total penalty of $61,711.
Company Response & Public Silence
Despite repeated inquiries from local media, EVRAZ North America did not issue a statement regarding the incident or the OSHA findings. This silence has deepened community concerns about transparency & accountability at the historic facility.
Gulliford, as shared in his obituary, left behind a grieving wife & four young sons, making the silence from the company all the more poignant.
Legacy of Steelmaking in Pueblo
The steelmaking legacy in Pueblo began in the late 1800s, with the foundation of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company (CF&I). The mill played a key role in the industrialization of the American West. Over the decades, the plant changed hands multiple times, ultimately becoming part of EVRAZ, a multinational steel & mining group, in 2007.
Interestingly, official records including OSHA documents still list the facility under its former legal name, CF&I Steel, L.P. This historical name reflects the site’s deep industrial roots.
Rail Production Claims Amid Scrutiny
According to its website, EVRAZ proclaims its Pueblo mill as “the largest producer of premium & standard rail in North America.” The stamp wheel, central to rail production, is one of many massive machines operating at the site. With rail production being both physically intense & mechanically dangerous, the need for strict safety protocols is paramount.
Yet, the incident involving Gulliford starkly highlights how legacy facilities, despite modern rebranding, may suffer from outdated or insufficient safety standards.
Industry Reflections & Future Oversight
The tragic death of a young worker in a century-old steel facility has reignited conversations about worker safety, regulatory oversight, & corporate accountability in heavy industries. OSHA’s penalty, while modest in corporate financial terms, sends a clear message about the gravity of procedural negligence.
The tragedy also serves as a warning bell for similar industrial plants across the country to revisit & reinforce their safety practices, especially in high-risk environments involving large-scale machinery.
Key Takeaways
• OSHA fined EVRAZ steel mill $61,711 for four major safety violations.
• Taylor Blake Gulliford (26) died on August 9, 2024, during maintenance work.
• He was pinned between a stamp wheel & a guardrail after machine activation.
• OSHA cited lack of lockout/tagout procedures & poor employee training.
• Each violation carried a fine between $13,005 & $16,550.
• EVRAZ gave no public response following the incident or investigation.
• Gulliford left behind a wife & four children.
• Steelmaking in Pueblo began in the 1800s under Colorado Fuel & Iron Company.
• Mill currently operates under EVRAZ, but is still legally listed as CF&I Steel, L.P.
• EVRAZ claims its Pueblo plant is North America’s largest rail producer.
• Incident highlights persistent safety gaps in aging heavy industry plants.
