Probe continues into contract worker’s death

Published 8:28 pm Tuesday, December 5, 2017

An investigation was continuing this week into a fatal industrial accident that occurred at ExxonMobil on Friday.

Yesenia Espinoza, 31, of Baytown, an employee with Echo Maintenance, was working on new construction at the plant when the incident occurred.

Chauntra Rideaux with Occupational Safety and Health Administration District 6 office of public affairs confirmed the agency was investigating and that more details will be released when the investigation is concluded.

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OSHA said employers must report all work-related fatalities within eight hours, all work-related inpatient hospitalizations, amputations or losses of an eye within 24 hours.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Marcus McLellan said his agency only investigates to determine if a criminal act occurred. OSHA handles the rest of the investigation.

Espinoza’s death marked the first fatality at the plant since the death of Miguel Barron, 37, of Brownsville. Barron, a contract worker with AltairStrickland, was working on a heat exchanger on an elevated platform when a pipe fell on him May 11, 2016. Barron’s two brothers were also at the site when the incident occurred.

An April 2013 flash fire at the facility left four contract workers with serious burns; two of those men died later.

Funeral services for Yesenia Espinoza are set for 10 a.m. Thursday at Earthman Funeral Home in Baytown.