Kentucky OSHA officials are now investigating the deaths and injuries at a candle factory demolished in a tornado outbreak with employees inside. 

"I was just praying that God would take me cause I didn't want to endure pain anymore," survivor Jim Douglas said.

Eight workers died. 

Newsy has learned this is not the first time workplace safety has been a concern at that factory, Mayfield Consumer Products. 

OSHA records we reviewed show the plant was cited in 2019 for 12 safety violations, some labeled serious. Two of them relate to emergency preparedness. 

The records don't go into specifics, but one citation references Kentucky law 2.310(1)(1), which requires that job sites have "persons adequately trained to render first aid"… and that "adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available."

A second violation points to an OSHA standard that says "safeguards designed to protect employees during an emergency … must be in proper working order at all times."

Other citations were for electrical safety concerns. 

The company settled all of the violations with the state by paying a fine of $9,810 and agreeing to certify compliance with OSHA safety rules by January 13th.   

A spokeswoman for the Kentucky Labor Department says the company did have an emergency action plan in place and that employees had been trained on the emergency action plan. 

A Mayfield Consumer Products spokesman responded to Newsy's questions with an emailed statement saying, "We implemented an updated safety plan and operated a safe factory."

The company's CEO said, "We're in unprecedented waters – this is something we don't... or could have ever expected."

Kentucky OSHA will now spend up to six months investigating whether conditions at the factory contributed to the tragedy. 

Disaster expert Dianna Bryant says building design should be part of the review. 

"When we see more of these larger types of industrial facilities that are not constructed the way they used to be, they are not as substantial, this seems to be a trend that would continue," she said. 

OSHA is also now investigating an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois where six employees died. Records show no recent safety violations there. 

This story was originally published by Patrick Terpstra at Newsy.com.

DAYTON, Ohio — To get a small sense of what the road to recovery will be like for those in western Kentucky, look to Dayton, Ohio. Deadly tornadoes ripped through the Miami Valley in May 2019.

“Oh my! What happened down there was worse than we ever experienced here,” Dayton resident John Barber said.

Barber owns one of nearly 3,000 homes the Memorial Day tornado hit. His neighborhood was without power for six weeks. More than 200 businesses were impacted.

“We were able to stay in the house through the day with generators — $20, $25 a day for gasoline,” Barber said.

Some streets in the metro area and Trotwood are filled with homes that remain unlivable. Some apartments appear to be untouched since the tornado ripped off roofs and busted through walls, while many homes and businesses completed the rebuilding process.

RELATED: Dayton area tornado outbreak was historic for NWS

Immediately after the storms, owners and renters alike had to wait for insurance adjusters to show up for assessments. Some never received that assistance due to interest obstacles. They are still working to repair their homes slowly on their own.

“Insurance companies fought a lot of these people,” Mike McCarthy said. “You know, they don’t want to give out. I think every first thing for insurance, they say, ‘Deny, deny, deny.’”

By June 18, Montgomery County Emergency Management said residents could apply for FEMA short-term recovery assistance. In Kentucky’s case, emergency management said individuals should be eligible immediately because of the Presidential emergency declaration.

“FEMA does help a lot, but you do have to deal with a government,” said Virginia Doran. “So, you're dealing with forms, paperwork and proof.”

It took about a year or year and a half for workers to finish rebuilding the first properties. Emergency management did not immediately have an estimate on how long it would take to fully rebuild.

“I shudder to think of just what is going to happen to a lot of those people,” Barber said. "They’re going to be living in motel rooms for months before they can even get a contractor who has time to talk to them.”

More from WCPO:

KENTUCKY — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said tornadoes in the state killed at least 70 people, and he fears the final death toll will exceed100.

“This has been the most devastating tornado event in our state’s history,” Beshear said at a news conference Saturday morning.

Severe storms moved through the area Friday night and caused catastrophic damage. Beshear said one tornado stayed on the ground for 227 miles.

Photos and videos from the southwestern Kentucky community of Mayfield show leveled homes, mangled vehicles, uprooted trees and a courthouse steeple sheered off.

Beshear said a collapse at a candle factory in Mayfield has resulted in "mass casualties."

The National Guard is responding to the region to help with rescue and recovery efforts.

The Graves County Emergency Management Office told WPSD that Mayfield High School is opening up a shelter for people affected by the storm. Residents who can safely walk there are also being told they can go to Fire Station 1 on East Broadway Street.

Saturday morning, President Joe Biden said he was briefed on the storms.

"To lose a loved one in a storm like this is an unimaginable tragedy," he said in a tweet. "We’re working with governors to ensure they have what they need as the search for survivors and damage assessments continue."

In addition to the deaths in Mayfield, authorities in the Bowling Green area say 11 people were killed when a tornado roared through town.

Western Kentucky University called off commencement ceremonies that were planned for Saturday because the campus was without power.

Kentucky was one of several states that were hit by tornadoes and severe weather Friday and early Saturday morning. CNN reports that nearly 100 people are dead across five states.