HAUSER - Operators of the Incredible Corn Maze in Hauser face $14,000 in fines for three "serious" violations connected to the October death of a teen employee.

On Tuesday, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration notified NW Creative Solutions, the corporation which operates the maze, of the violations. The citation requires the corporation to either pay the fine or contest the allegations by March 17.

Spokane Valley resident Jeremy McSpadden, 18, died on Oct. 10, 2014, while playing the role of a zombie at a new attraction called the Zombie Slayer Paintball Bus. Visitors to the maze were able to board a school bus modified with paintball guns mounted outside the windows. While riding the bus, patrons could shoot paintballs at actors who would pretend to attack the bus.

Investigators determined that McSpadden, a senior at West Valley High School, was killed instantly when he stumbled and was hit by the rear wheel of the bus. The teen's death was investigated by Kootenai County Sheriff's detectives, who determined no crime had been committed.

OSHA began its own investigation into the death shortly after and determined owners of the maze committed three federal workplace safety violations, which were grouped into two "items" - each carrying a $7,000 penalty.

The first item states the Incredible Corn Maze failed to create a workplace environment "which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death and/or serious physical harm to employees.

"Employees approached moving buses and their vision was diminished during this nighttime event due to the darkness, protective face shield, being struck by paintballs, costume masks, and distracting lighting," the notification states.

The second item grouped two of the violations together "because they involve similar or related hazards." According to the notification, employees acting as zombies were not given reliable protective equipment.

Furthermore, they were "not trained on how to prevent goggles from fogging or how and when to clean goggles when paint obstructed vision."

In addition to the fines, the corporation is also required to provide documentation to OSHA by March 20 proving that it has addressed and corrected the safety hazards at the attraction.