PHOENIX — A man is dead after reports of an explosion at the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in north Phoenix.
On Wednesday afternoon, firefighters with the Phoenix, Glendale and Daisy Mountain fire departments responded to the business site near 43rd Avenue and Dove Valley Road.
Officials say 41-year-old Cesar Anguiano-Guitron was transporting waste material away from the construction site when he was made aware of a possible issue involving the tank containing the material, which was under pressure. While inspecting the equipment, "an uncontrolled pressure release occurred," which was when Anguiano-Guitron suffered his injuries.
Officials say he was "struck by a blunt object" and thrown over 20 feet from the trailer.
Anguiano-Guitron was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, where he later died.
This incident remains under investigation, including by The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH).
TSMC Arizona sent ABC15 the following updated statement Thursday regarding the incident:
"We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the man who passed away in yesterday’s tragic accident which occurred on our site. We care about the safety and wellbeing of each of our employees, our construction trade workforce and vendors, as well as every visitor to our site. We are grateful for the immediate emergency response and the first responders for their efforts.
The Phoenix Fire Department cleared the site as hazard free yesterday soon after the accident, and there has been no interruption to full operations and construction. As was corrected by the Phoenix Police Department in their media advisory last evening, this individual was inspecting the equipment on a disposal truck when an unintended pressure release occurred. We will continue to stay in communication with the authorities as they complete their investigation as to the cause of this incident, also in cooperation with the employer of the individual."
The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) declined an interview request from ABC15 but had inspectors on-site at TSMC on Thursday.
Workplace fatalities automatically trigger an ADOSH inspection for potential safety violations. These inspections can take several weeks to up to six months before results are made public.
The fatality comes after Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and TSMC officials last August announced a worker-safety partnership between ADOSH and the company. They invited the media to cover the announcement.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen our workforce for decades to come. And that's exactly what we're going to do,” Hobbs said at the August event.
The five-page agreement between ADOSH and TSMC outlines requirements the company has voluntarily agreed to, including more safety reviews and worker safety training.
"Under this agreement, TSMC will adhere to requirements higher than those at the federal level,” Hobbs said in August.
The Governor’s Office did not return a request for comment Thursday.
ABC15 obtained previous ADOSH inspections of the worksite through a public records request.
Records show three ADOSH inspections at the TSMC site since 2022 based on complaints alleging poor ventilation, vehicles speeding at the job site and no evacuation plan, among other issues. In two of the three inspections, ADOSH inspectors found no observed hazards. No safety citations or fines were issued.
A third inspection, prompted by a complaint made earlier this year, is still open. Details will not be available until that inspection is complete, according to ADOSH.
ADOSH also conducts compliance assistance visits at TSMC, which are similar to inspections except they don’t result in fines or citations. ADOSH has refused to release those inspections, saying they are confidential under federal OSHA.
That “secrecy” concerns safety advocates.
Peter Dooley, a safety advocate with the Arizona Jobs with Justice Health and Safety Committee, said ADOSH should increase routine inspections of the TSMC worksite, and those inspections should be made public.
"It should be a wakeup call,” he said.
