MIDDLETOWN — Federal authorities are investigating how an AK Steel employee fell into a pit of hot water at the company’s Middletown coke plant.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Cincinnati office learned of the Monday, Aug. 24, incident from media reports. The office verified with local police and fire departments and began investigating Tuesday, said Dick Gilgrist, OSHA area director.

The 47-year-old union employee, whose name has not been released, was taken by medical helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton after he fell into a condensation pit where water from the steam lines collects.

The man was performing maintenance on a pipe near the pit when he fell, said Scott Rich, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943.

The worker suffered burns to 65 percent to 70 percent of his body. Some of the burns were second-degree, covering his arms, legs and torso, said Middletown Fire Capt. Todd Day.

He is in stable condition and appears to be recovering, Rich said.

“His spirits are good, and he looks forward to coming back to work,” he said.

Although the agency has completed investigations at the coke plant before, Gilgrist said OSHA has “never noticed these kind of pits before when we have been there.”

Rich said the water was about 135 degrees and 4 feet deep in the pit.

AK spokesman Alan McCoy declined to comment on what safeguards are in place around the pit, citing the OSHA investigation.

Gilgrist said the investigation will take two to three weeks.

The location and large amount of burns made the injuries critical. Luckily, he did not burn the inside of his throat or his face, Day said.

“The thing about burns, whether it stems from water, steam or heat, is that it is really the aftercare that is crucial,” Day said. “This man was alert and he didn’t have any burns to his airway, which is so important.”

OSHA last investigated an incident at the coke plant in 2006, when Curtis E. Johnson, a 54-year-old contract worker, was killed after being struck by a moving piece of equipment, Gilgrist said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.