Maintenance Man fatality at Lebec Cement Plant (National Cement Company Of California Inc), CA, January 6, 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.

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.

   Corrective action: 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.

   Corrective action: 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.

   Corrective action: 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.

Read the full report (PDF)

Findings from MSHA's final investigation report, which supersedes the preliminary narrative above.

Activity at time of incident

Machine Maintenance

Subunit / location

MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT

Accident type

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Source of injury

MCH PWR TRNSMSN APPR,(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

HEAD, MULTIPLE PARTS

Total mining experience

0 years

Experience in this job

12 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY

Related fatalities