A 19-year-old sanitation worker died Sunday night at Tina’s Burritos processing plant in Vernon after being pulled into a meat-grinding machine during a routine cleaning shift.
The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. when the teenager was sanitizing the equipment. The grinder unexpectedly activated, and despite frantic efforts by co-workers to shut it off, he was pulled inside.
Emergency crews arrived to find him trapped and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal / OSHA) and the District Attorney’s Office are investigating. Vernon City representatives and Tina’s Burritos both expressed deep sorrow and confirmed full cooperation with investigators.
Officials said there is no indication of foul play and have launched a safety inspection to prevent similar accidents at the plant.
