Kentucky workplace safety agency to review tornado deaths at candle factory

By Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech | Dec. 14, 2021
(AP/ Timothy D. Easley)

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The Kentucky Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance will investigate the incident at the candle factory where eight people died during recent tornadoes.

Gov. Andy Beshear told reporters Tuesday that the severe weather killed 74 people and that number is expected to increase.

Kentucky was one of six states impacted by a string of devastating tornadoes.

Kentucky’s workplace safety agency will be investigating safety protocols at the candle factory in Mayfield where eight people were killed after tornados hit the state late last week, Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.) told reporters Tuesday.

At least 74 Kentuckians were killed after powerful tornadoes ripped through six midwestern states, according to Beshear.

More than 100 employees of the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory were in the facility as the twisters devastated the town. Factory owners believe they have located all employees and volunteer cadaver dogs have not found any additional bodies among the candle factory debris, Beshear said.

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“We hope that is true, the level of debris could be impacting the canines but we certainly hope that a miracle or prayers were answered and it’s eight that were ultimately lost there,” Beshear said during a press conference.

The Kentucky Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance will undertake a “monthslong review of the deaths,” the governor said, adding that reviews of this nature are typically done when workers are killed on the job, according to The Associated Press.

“So it shouldn’t suggest that there was any wrongdoing. But what it should give people confidence in, is that we’ll get to the bottom of what happened,’ Beshear said.

The governor said state police are still attempting to see and speak to every employee and that officers are requesting all workers to stop by the “His House Ministries” church in Mayfield.

The town is home to 10,000 residents and suffered some of the worst damage from the tornadoes.