Manufacturing Worker Dies by Suicide, Kentucky

The following report is the product of our Cooperative State partner and is presented here in its original unedited form from the state. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the individual Cooperative State partner and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

SUMMARY

On Saturday, December 05, 2020, an autoclave operator (decedent) left his shift early, exited the factory, and proceeded to his vehicle which was located in the factory’s parking lot. After entering the vehicle, the victim moved closer to the entry of the facility and parked. Sometime later, the victim died by a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include:

• Domestic dispute

RECOMMENDATIONS
Kentucky FACE investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should:

• Consider providing suicide prevention training to all employees.
• Implement a system for reaching out to individuals who exhibit signs of distress, including suicidal ideation
• Include mental health screenings during annual wellness checks
• Consider promoting and ensuring mental health services are readily available for employees, including those who exhibit behaviors associated with self-harm.
• Consider providing resources for immediate and long-term suicide postvention.
• Consider shift separation for employees who are engaged in a domestic partnership.

Manufacturing Worker Dies by Suicide, Kentucky [PDF – 494 KB]