Glass Manufacturer Fined by OSHA for Safety Violations in Indiana Auto Glass Plant
August 20, 2012

by Katie O'Mara, komara@glass.com

The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined Pilkington’s Shelbyville, Ind. auto glass plant $150,000 for six safety violations.

The inspection by OSHA comes almost two years after an employee was fatally injured in the plant while completing a maintenance operation. The employee, Kelly Caudill, died at the hospital later from injuries sustained in the accident. The Shelbyville plant was cited for OSH violations following the tragedy.

In the recent inspection report OSHA sites safety concerns about maintenance technicians being, “exposed to hazards including but not limited to air, electrical, hydraulic, pinch points and rotating parts throughout the facility." While some violations appear to focus on incomplete training and procedural records, other violations include inadequate training for energy control devices, lack of machine guarding and live electric parts left unguarded against accidental contact. Pilkington was cited for all of these safety violations during the inspection in 2010 and upon re-inspection has still not met OSHA’s criteria, according to the safety agency.

Pilkington has until August 22 to address the violations and pay the fines.

At press time, Pilkington had not responded to requests for comment about the OSHA violations.

This story is an original story by AGRR™ magazine/glassBYTEs.com™. Subscribe to AGRR™ Magazine.
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