Xjyuk

My friend at work was killed by one of the machines and it was awful.

The place has been closed so there's no work. We don't know when the factory is going to reopen or if they're closing down forever. If they open again, I don't know if I want to go back. I threw up thinking about going back, and I don't think it's safe.

I need money so I'm trying to explore options for what else I can do.

I signed up for some classes through work but now I don't know if I want to do it. I would have to pay the company back if I took the classes and I left, but my church will help pay the company back if I decide to leave.

Another option I've found is that the state would help me pay if I wanted to get more classes, but I would rather not go back to work there.

I know that I can go through vocational rehab to get another job.

Are there other options that I can try to help find new work?

I'd say don't go back unless you are confident the company resolved the issue and no such risks remain. Unless it was an unpredictable accident. But your tone makes it likely your workplace was just dangerous.

Address your priority in order. Staying alive should be one of the main goals.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs

Had similar incidents at one of my previous workplaces. We averaged a couple per year - large company, high-risk industrial manufacturing, so there were fires, explosions, spills, falls into galvanic vats (that's probably the worst), hits with steel assemblies, asphyxiation in tight quarters, heat stroke in the same. There was usually a public announcement and a minute of silence the next day.

It's surprising to me that a place would close over an accident - is it a really small company, single shop? Even so, it's unlikely to stay closed forever. Accidents happen, and since it's a factory, not an office, they're a known danger, which can be minimized, but has to be kept in mind as a possibility.

As this is a forced furlough, not a voluntary leave, most places would obligate the company to still pay you for the time based on the agreed-upon work week.

The emotional impact is a very different problem, though. I know people who have quit their entire profession after witnessing a death first-hand right next to them. Usually happens for the less-risky jobs. You don't want to linger against your will, it can be outright dangerous for your mental health.

So if you feel strongly that way, it's better to look for something else to do. But to get more advice on that (what job to transition into), more detail would be in order, or an entirely different question.

The fact that it was your friend that was killed makes a huge difference to the way your are experiencing the accident. If possible, try to get some counseling to help you process the loss of your friend.

Unfortunately if/when your workplace starts up again, you will experience your surroundings in a whole different way and it's not surprising you don't want to work there anymore.

Does your company have any other locations where your could work? If so ask for a transfer. If not, alternative employment is your only option.

Depending on what your specific industry/job is, it might be very easy to find another suitable job, but it might also be very hard. Best way is to brush up your resume and apply to any new job that you think you might be suited for.