Alabama foundry cited over worker’s machine death

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Thursday it cited an Alabama forklift parts manufacturer over the death of a worker who was caught inside a molding machine in August 2023.

OSHA cited Cullman-based Cullman Casting Corp. for six serious violations and proposed $95,981 in penalties, an amount the agency said is set by federal law.

Cullman Casting, an iron foundry, repeatedly exposed workers to safety hazards by failing to de-energize and lock out its automated molding machine while workers performed maintenance and cleaning work, OSHA said.

The workplace fatality occurred as the employee was attempting to adjust a plastic film on the molding machine when the device cycled, pinning the individual between the moving components inside, according to OSHA.

Cullman Casting has 15 business days to contest the citation and proposed penalties.