BULLS GAP, Tenn. — UPDATE JULY 24: The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed a $16,300 collective fine for a Bulls Gap business in a March fatal work incident, records show.
Kevin Suggs was killed the morning of March 19 while doing repair work in a pre-package staging area at Barrette Outdoor Living Inc., according to TOSHA records. He was caught between a device called an elevator and and the floor when the device became "energized," according to TOSHA.
The state investigation found, among other things, that Suggs hadn't received proper training "in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources," a report states.
TOSHA cited Barrette Outdoor for several violations it deemed "serious" in the March fatality.
PREVIOUS STORY: The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it was investigating a fatal workplace accident in Bulls Gap on March 19.
A spokesperson said that the accident happened at Barrette Outdoor Living, and said it can take up to ten weeks to complete a fatality investigation. On March 19, the Hawkins County Rescue Squad also said it was responding to calls about an incident there.
The rescue squad said a person had been trapped in machinery and rescue technicians responded along with other agencies. They said that before emergency responders arrived, the person was freed from the machinery.
They said the person was taken to a medical center by helicopter after responders had worked to help the person recover from multiple injuries.