Muerte de Maintenance Man en Lebec Cement Plant (National Cement Company Of California Inc), CA, 6 de enero de 2026

During preparation for dismantling of motor and gear box on slide gate. Employee didn't follow given instructions and removed all bolts from gearbox. That cause released of stored energy on slide gate and motor with gear box start spinning. Employee got caught by the equipment and started spinning with it. During spinning their head hit the handrail which caused a fatal injury.

Texto original en inglés de la MSHA

On January 6, 2026, at 10:20 a.m., Oswaldo Hernandez, a 50-year-old contractor mechanic with 34 days of mining experience, died after becoming entangled in a motor and gearbox assembly while performing a maintenance task. The accident occurred because: 1) the contractor mechanic was not properly trained for the assigned task, 2) the assembly was not blocked against hazardous motion, and 3) a workplace examination was not conducted.

1. The mine operator and contractor did not properly train the contractor mechanic for the assigned task.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator and contractor each developed task training for gearbox and motor work maintenance.

2. The mine operator and contractor did not ensure the assembly was blocked against hazardous motion.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator and contractor each developed and implemented a written procedure for blocking moving machine parts against hazardous motion and trained their employees on the new procedure.

3. The contractor did not conduct a workplace examination.

   Acción correctiva: The contractor developed and implemented a written procedure which includes conducting workplace examinations and blocking moving machine parts against hazardous motion. The contractor trained their employees on the new procedure.

Lee el informe completo (PDF)

Hallazgos del informe final de investigación de la MSHA, que sustituye la narrativa preliminar anterior.

Actividad al momento del incidente

Machine Maintenance

Subunidad / ubicación

MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT

Tipo de accidente

Atrapado en, bajo o entre objetos en movimiento o engranados

Fuente de la lesión

MCH PWR TRNSMSN APPR,(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Naturaleza de la lesión

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Parte del cuerpo afectada

HEAD, MULTIPLE PARTS

Experiencia minera total

0 years

Experiencia en este puesto

12 years

Grado de la lesión

FATALITY

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