February 11 fatal pistachio plant accident in Terra Bella

On February 11 Fernando Santiesteban died in an accident at a pistachio plant in Terra Bella.
According to reports Santiesteban was performing maintenance on a machine that separates the nuts from the hulls when someone turned the machine on. Cal-OSHA reported that the machine was not “locked out,” a safety mechanism that prevents it from being turned on. Santiesteban's legs were severed in the accident and he later died from his injuries. The tragic accident happened at Setton Pistachio plant in Terra Bella.