Steel Worker fatality at Alpine Silica-San Antonio (Alpine Silica, LLC), TX, March 28, 2026

Employee unhooked lanyard and fell through roof resulting in fatal injuries.

On March 28, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., Carlos Lopez, a 19-year-old millwright/iron worker, with over 1 year of mining experience, died when he detached from a fall protection tie-off point to navigate to another area of the roof and fell about 37 feet and 6 inches through an unsecured roof panel. The accident occurred because: 1) the contractor did not ensure contract employees remained tied off while exposed to a fall hazard; and 2) the mine operator and contractor did not conduct a thorough workplace examination to identify hazards on the damaged roof.

1. The contractor did not ensure contract employees remained tied off while exposed to a fall hazard.

   Corrective action: The mine operator and contractor implemented a policy requiring continuous use of fall protection when working at heights and will conduct routine monitoring to ensure compliance.

2. The mine operator and contractor did not conduct a thorough workplace examination to identify hazards on the damaged roof.

   Corrective action: The mine operator and contractor revised their workplace examination procedures to ensure all work areas, including elevated and interior hazard exposures, are evaluated and documented.

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

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

Source of injury

GROUND

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

1 year

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

1 year

Degree of injury

FATALITY

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