Jose Partida Died in Yuma Industrial Accident at Manufacturing Facility

Jose Fernando Partida Died After Becoming Trapped in Chemical Mixer at Gowan Milling LLC

YUMA, ARIZONA (March 3, 2026) – A 57-year-old worker identified as Jose Partida has tragically died in a Yuma industrial accident while at his job at Gowan Milling LLC.

Yuma County officials are saying that the accident took place on January 4. Jose Partida was apparently cleaning the inside of a chemical mixer.

Another worker entered inside the chemical mixer when the machine turned on. That person was able to get out of the machine. But Jose Partida remained trapped inside.

Power to the machine was shut off immediately. Firefighters and paramedics were called to help rescue the injured worker. He was transported to the hospital with serious injuries, including broken ribs, a broken leg, and a broken arm.

Despite life-saving measures, Jose Partida later died at the hospital. A full investigation by OSHA remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Yuma Industrial Accidents 

Employers in Arizona have a legal obligation to protect workers from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. They must maintain worksites in a reasonably safe condition and follow all OSHA safety guidelines. When an employer has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition at a worksite, they must take action. There are several steps that employers must take to prevent industrial accidents.

• Safety Culture: Companies should develop and implement a written safety policy.
• Hazard Identification: Employers should be proactive in identifying all of the hazards that workers may encounter.
• OSHA: Employers should comply with all OSHA safety guidelines.
• Lockout/Tagout: Employees should be trained in the proper lockout/tagout procedures when working in or around heavy machinery.

When an employee is injured or killed in Arizona, they or their surviving family members will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance scheme designed to help workers. In addition to workers’ compensation, an injured worker or their surviving family members may be able to pursue damages through a third-party liability claim. There are many sources of third-party liability for any industrial accident. This could include a claim against the company that manufactured a piece of machinery that injured a worker.

How Machinery Can Cause Fatal Accidents

Industrial accidents remain a leading cause of preventable injury and death for workers across Arizona and the United States, particularly in the construction industry. According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, “Vehicles and mobile heavy equipment were a major source of fatalities in construction, resulting in 7,681 deaths from 1992 to 2010, about 404 deaths annually (chart 46a).1 Following the injury trend in construction, the number of such deaths reached 470 in 2006 and dropped to 271 in 2010.” There are many ways that a piece of machinery could be defective so that it injures or kills a worker.

• Interlocks: A piece of machinery may not have proper interlocks.
• Tipping Over: A piece of machinery may have a high center of gravity, which makes it more susceptible to tipping over.
• Control Systems: A piece of machinery may have defective control systems or lack an emergency stop button.
• Warnings: A piece of machinery may lack adequate warnings about latent hazards.

It can be difficult to know where to begin after any worker is seriously injured or killed in an industrial accident. These accidents tend to be highly preventable and the result of one or more safety lapses. Unfortunately, general contractors and machine manufacturers will virtually never accept responsibility when a worker is seriously injured or killed. They are more likely to blame the victim or other parties. This is why it is so important that these incidents are investigated by an outside source.

Investigating Yuma Industrial Accidents

We at The Law Offices of John Phebus extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jose Partida. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that other tragedies can be averted. Many questions remain unanswered. Did this piece of machinery have adequate safeguards? Did it have an emergency stop switch?

Do you need more information about a Yuma industrial accident? Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping workers understand their rights and holding employers and manufacturers fully accountable for their negligent conduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any accident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (623) 267-9283.