Tyler Brooks
On December 13, 2021, a tornado ripped through a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, killing eight workers and leaving eight others missing. The tragedy has sparked questions about why staff were working during the tornado, with some workers claiming they were threatened with disciplinary action if they left early. The Kentucky governor has promised an investigation into the incident, as the state's workplace safety agency examines the eight deaths that occurred as tornadoes ravaged five states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Mayfield, Kentucky |
| Factory Name | Mayfield Consumer Products |
| Date of Event | Friday, December 13, 2021 |
| Number of Deaths | 8 |
| Number of Missing Persons | 8 |
| Number of Employees | 110 |
| Worker Wage | $8-$14.50 per hour |
| Worker Concerns | Threats of disciplinary action and firing if they left early |
| Company Response | Employees were free to leave anytime |
| Company Spokesperson | Bob Ferguson |
| Company Founder | Mary Propes |
| Company Customers | Bath & Body Works |
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What You'll Learn
Eight workers died at the candle factory
On December 13, 2021, a tornado ripped through a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, killing eight workers and leaving eight others missing. The Mayfield Consumer Products factory was flattened by the tornado, which caused extreme devastation in the region.
The tragedy has raised questions about worker safety and the actions of the company. Several workers reported that they had requested to leave after the first tornado siren sounded around 5:30-6:00 p.m. but were refused and told they would be fired if they left their shifts early. Haley Conder, a 10-year employee at the factory, said she was threatened with disciplinary action if she left. Conder and other workers questioned why they were not allowed to leave or at least given a clear understanding of the danger during the three to four hours between the first and second tornado sirens.
The company spokesman insisted that employees were free to leave at any time. However, workers disputed this claim, stating that they were not given the choice to shelter or go home when the second siren sounded after 9:00 p.m. The Kentucky governor announced that the state's workplace safety agency would investigate the eight deaths that occurred as violent weather spawned tornadoes across five states.
The factory, which supplied candles to retailers like Bath & Body Works, was the area's third-biggest employer and an important economic engine. At the time of the tornado, over 100 people were working on holiday candle orders, and many feared there could be more casualties. However, emergency officials later confirmed that all workers had been accounted for, and authorities expressed confidence that no one else remained in the building.
The tornado caused extensive damage to the factory, leaving 15 feet of twisted metal and corrosive chemicals in its wake. The building was reduced to rubble, and rescue teams worked diligently in the aftermath to search for survivors and recover those who perished.
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Workers were threatened with disciplinary action if they left
On December 13, 2021, a tornado ripped through a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, killing eight workers and leaving eight others missing. The Mayfield Consumer Products factory was the third-biggest employer in the region, providing jobs to many in the city of Mayfield and its surrounding areas.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, questions arose about why staff were working during the tornado. Several workers reported that they had asked to leave after the first tornado siren sounded around 5:30-6:00 p.m. on Friday but were refused and told they would be fired if they left before their shifts ended. Haley Conder, a 29-year-old employee, shared that her supervisor threatened to write her up if she left early, which could lead to firing. McKayla Emery, another worker, recalled hearing managers tell four workers standing near her, "If you leave, you're more than likely to be fired."
During the three to four hours between the first and second tornado sirens, employees were not given a clear understanding of the danger they faced and were instead sent back to work. Conder and other workers questioned why the company did not encourage workers to go home or provide better communication about the severity of the situation.
The company spokesman insisted that employees were free to leave at any time, and authorities later confirmed that all workers had been accounted for. An investigation was launched by Kentucky's workplace safety agency to examine the circumstances surrounding the eight deaths.
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Workers were told they'd be fired if they left
On Friday, December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, killing eight workers and leaving eight others missing. The Mayfield Consumer Products factory, the third-biggest employer in western Kentucky, was left with nothing but rubble.
Several workers at the factory have since come forward, stating that they were threatened with disciplinary action and termination if they left their shifts early, despite tornado sirens blaring warnings outside. Haley Conder, a 29-year-old employee who had worked at the factory on and off for 10 years, recounted how she and around 15 other workers asked to leave after the first emergency alarms sounded around 6 p.m. but were refused and told to return to work. Conder shared that supervisors told them they couldn't leave for safety reasons, but when they believed the tornado was no longer a threat, they sent everyone back to their workstations. McKayla Emery, another worker, recalled hearing managers tell four workers, "If you leave, you're more than likely to be fired."
The company's spokesperson refuted these claims, insisting that employees were free to leave at any time. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Kentucky's governor pledged that the state's workplace safety agency would investigate the eight deaths that occurred as tornadoes ravaged five states.
The tornado caused extensive damage to the factory, leaving behind 15 feet of twisted metal laced with corrosive chemicals. The disaster sparked discussions about corporate greed and the prioritization of production over employee safety. Many questioned why workers were not allowed to leave earlier, especially considering the region's history of tornadoes and the urgency of the warnings.
Despite the devastation, there were also stories of survival. One worker described how he dropped to the ground and curled up in a fetal position as the walls came crashing down around him. He was trapped by a slab of concrete but managed to free himself. Emergency officials worked tirelessly in the rubble, and by Monday, they had accounted for all workers, declaring with confidence that no one remained in the building.
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Workers were not allowed to leave between the first and second tornado sirens
On Friday, December 13, 2021, a tornado ripped through a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, killing eight workers and leaving eight others missing. The Mayfield Consumer Products factory was the third-biggest employer in western Kentucky, providing jobs to many in Mayfield and the surrounding areas.
As the tornado bore down on the region, workers at the factory continued to make scented candles to meet the Christmas demand. Around 5:30 p.m. that Friday, as the first tornado sirens sounded, about 15 workers asked to leave. However, they were refused and told they would be fired if they left before their shifts ended. Haley Conder, a worker at the factory, said supervisors initially told them they could not leave for safety reasons, keeping them in the hallways and bathrooms. McKayla Emery, another worker, recalled hearing managers tell four workers that they would likely be fired if they left.
There was a window of around three to four hours between the first and second tornado sirens, during which employees were not allowed to leave. Conder questioned why the company did not encourage workers to go home or provide them with a better understanding of the danger. She and other workers felt that production was prioritized over their well-being.
When the tornado was assumed to no longer be a threat, workers were sent back to their duties. Unfortunately, the second tornado siren sounded after 9 p.m., and the tornado struck the factory, resulting in the tragic loss of life.
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Kentucky launches investigation into safety at the factory
Kentucky has launched an investigation into the safety protocols at Mayfield Consumer Products, a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, after it was destroyed by a tornado on Friday, December 13, 2021, killing eight workers and leaving eight others missing.
The Kentucky governor has stated that the state's workplace safety agency will investigate the eight deaths that occurred as violent weather spawned tornadoes in five states. This comes amid reports from workers that they were threatened with disciplinary action and firing if they left their shifts early despite the approaching tornado. Haley Conder, a worker at the factory, questioned why the company did not encourage workers to go home or provide them with a better understanding of the danger, given the tornado sirens that sounded around 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Workers at the factory have stated that supervisors initially told them they could not leave for safety reasons, keeping them in hallways and bathrooms. However, once the tornado was assumed to no longer be a threat, everyone was sent back to work. This has raised concerns about the prioritization of production over the safety of employees.
The investigation will seek to understand the decisions made by the company and the safety protocols in place at the time of the tornado. The factory, which supplied candles to retailers such as Bath & Body Works, was the third-biggest employer in the region and an important contributor to the local economy.
While the company has stated that all workers have been accounted for, the investigation will provide clarity on the events leading up to the tornado's impact and ensure accountability for any safety lapses that may have contributed to the tragic loss of life.
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Frequently asked questions
A tornado tore through the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, on December 13, 2021, killing eight people and leaving eight others missing.
Yes, while initial fears suggested that up to 70 people could have died, all workers were eventually accounted for.
There were tornado sirens at 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the night of the tornado. Workers say they asked to leave after the first siren but were refused and returned to work.
