Pilkington worker dies after accident

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - A Connersville man died after a factory accident in a Shelbyville auto glass plant on Wednesday.

Kelly Dean Caudill, 56, had worked with the Pilkington Group for about 15 years as an electrician, according to the Shelbyville Fire Department.

24-Hour News 8’s I-Team discovered the plant has had several violations with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Just five weeks ago, four violations with OSHA popped up for Pilkington.

Shelbyville Firefighters were called to Pilkington North America late Wednesday morning. A man was trapped in hydraulic machinery. Coworkers pulled him out, but the man was still caught on an elevated platform.

“It took about 35 minutes to extricate and treat him and get him down,” said Denton Caldwell from the Shelbyville Fire Department. “The long and short of it — they transported him to Lifeline and they took him to Methodist by helicopter.”

Caudill, the worker, later died.

Documents show that Pilkington is still handling OSHA safety violations from August. The issues include wall openings, tools, equipment and powered industrial trucks. The plant faces more than $5,700 in fines.

Union officials couldn’t be reached for comment. The company sent an e-mail saying Pilkington is cooperating with OSHA, doing an internal review and offering condolences to Caudill’s family and friends.