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A Spencer Veneer employee has been bouncing from critical to serious condition since her
hair was caught in a company machine last week. A family member told The Herald "It has
been a rough week" for Malissa May, 29, whose deceased parents formerly lived in
Calhoun.
May has received multiple surgeries at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital.
Physicians are hopeful efforts to reattach her scalp prove successful
A family spokesperson said after the September 10 incident, the woman's entire scalp was
torn from her head, taking off one ear and part of another.
Family members are accusing the company of ignoring safety precautions, including a
missing guard on the machine.
Spencer Veneer told Spencer Newspapers last week the accident caused "cosmetic"
injuries, only. General Manager Craig Keeler told Spencer publisher David Hedges, the
company "regrets any previous statements reportedly made by Spencer Veneers
representatives..."
"We want to make sure the community knows the corporation is extremely concerned for
Melissa and her health and well-being," Keeler told the newspaper.
The plant, located on the industrial park above Spencer, received a $123,000 fine from
OSHA for numerous violations, having been cited more than once. In February, 2001, a plant
worker fell from a deck and was killed. The company was fined about $3000 for that
incident.
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