Factory Workers in Mayfield Forced to Stay at Their Jobs

 


They heard the tornado sirens. They wanted to leave. They were told they would be fired if they didn't stay put. Several lost their lives.

As a catastrophic tornado approached this city Friday, employees of a candle factory — which would later be destroyed — heard the warning sirens and wanted to leave the building. But at least five workers said supervisors warned employees that they would be fired if they left their shifts early.

For hours, as word of the coming storm spread, as many as 15 workers beseeched managers to let them take shelter at their own homes, only to have their requests rebuffed, the workers said.

Fearing for their safety, some left during their shifts regardless of the repercussions.

Kentucky's workplace safety agency will investigate the candle factory deaths.


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