Didion Milling Inc. has now implemented all nine safety recommendations issued to the company by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) following an investigation into a fatal May 2017 explosion at Didion’s Cambria, Wis., facility, the board announced Aug. 12. The explosion killed five employees and seriously injured 14 others.
The board issued nine recommendations to Didion as part of its December 2023 final report on the incident.
In response to the CSB’s recommendations, Didion has now:
- Developed a comprehensive combustible dust management program, including addressing safety leadership and culture;
- Ensured the effective design, construction, and maintenance of the company’s combustible dust handling equipment, including the building where equipment is located, through dust hazard analysis supported by industry experts;
- Installed engineered safeguards commensurate with the combustible dust hazards of the Cambria facility; and
- Made improvements in the company’s continuity of operations program, emergency response plan, and personal protective equipment program.
“The CSB recognizes Didion’s effort over the last year to engage with the agency and implement the recommendations we made to improve safety at the company’s facility,” CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said in a statement. “The CSB’s recommendations are intended to prevent recurrence of the kind of deadly incident that occurred in May 2017, or at the very least minimize the consequences of such a terrible event.”
The CSB is an independent federal agency that investigates incidents and hazards that result in, or may result in, the catastrophic release of extremely hazardous substances. The board has no enforcement powers but instead issues recommendations to companies, industry groups, and federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Earlier this year, the CSB released a safety video on its investigation into the fatal 2017 combustible dust explosions and fires at Didion.
The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of the Solicitor negotiated a settlement agreement between OSHA and Didion for $1.8 million in OSHA penalties related to the incident.
Company executives and supervisors were convicted in a related criminal case for falsifying documents and obstructing OSHA’s investigation, according to the Solicitor’s office. Other company officials pleaded guilty earlier in federal court to charges related to the incident. The company itself pleaded guilty to charges related to falsifying the mill’s cleaning and baghouse logs and agreed to pay more than $10 million in restitution to the explosion’s victims and a $1 million criminal fine.
As part of the settlement agreement, Didion agreed to make extensive safety improvements, including:
- Developing a corporatewide safety and health management system with input from management and workers and creating a safety committee;
- Meeting with OSHA at least yearly to discuss safety and health issues;
- Conducting hazard analyses on grain dust and the need for flame-resistant personal protective garments;
- Providing time, equipment, staff, and training related to combustible dust housekeeping and performing mechanical integrity equipment inspections, tests, and preventive maintenance; and
- Conducting emergency planning and response training with the local fire department annually, if practical.