Indiana Glass Maker Agrees to Pay Record Fine Stemming from Workplace Fatality

Glass manufacturer Pilkington North America must pay a state-record $495,000 fine and address a slew of safety hazards as part of an agreement with Indiana OSHA.

The agreement settles four safety orders that Indiana OSHA issued after the Sept. 29, 2010, death of Kelly Dean Caudill, who was crushed while repairing a conveyor at the company’s Shelbyville, Ind., factory. The plant produces glass for the automotive industry.

After the 2010 fatality, Indiana OSHA hit Pilkington with $32,000 in fines – later reduced to $15,000 – for seven safety violations at the Shelbyville plant, according to OSHA records. When state inspectors returned to the factory in March and April 2012, they found that safety problems remained, and Indiana OSHA issued four safety orders carrying $603,000 in total fines.

An inspection in October 2012 turned up six violations – including three willful violations – carrying $231,000 in fines.

As part of its settlement with Indiana OSHA, Pilkington has agreed to complete all mandated safety fixes by Dec. 31. The company, which is a unit of Tokyo-based Nippon Sheet Glass Co., also will post warning signs on or near hazards, provide machine-guarding training for employees and provide dedicated personnel to eliminate all remaining hazards.

Indiana OSHA noted that it will conduct a follow-up inspection to verify that all hazards have been eliminated.

The $495,000 fine is the largest in Indiana OSHA history.

“This agreement stresses the seriousness of the safe operation of production machinery and will create a significantly safer workplace for Pilkington employees, Labor Commissioner Rick Ruble said. “The agreement shows a sincere commitment on the part of Pilkington North America to improve workplace safety.”