Chemical Safety Board of the U.S. finds that Didion Milling disregarded safety measures following a fatal 2017 explosion incident.
Didion Milling Fails to Implement Safety Recommendations Eight Years After Deadly Explosion
Didion Milling, a grain mill operator in Cambria, Wisconsin, has not implemented safety recommendations given by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) following a fatal explosion in May 2017. The incident claimed the lives of five employees and injured 14 others [1][2].
The CSB issued nine safety recommendations in December 2023, based on their investigation into the incident. However, as of August 2025, Didion Milling has not implemented any of these recommendations or provided substantive responses, despite repeated outreach efforts by the CSB [1][2][4].
The CSB maintains that its recommendations go beyond Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements. Didion Milling's attorneys argued that an OSHA settlement, which included significant civil penalties for safety violations, addressed the issues. However, the CSB received a letter from Didion's attorneys in July 2024 that did not address the CSB's safety recommendations [1][2].
Federal regulations require grain mill operators to perform regular cleanings to reduce dust accumulations that could fuel a blast. Corn dust, if concentrations in the air reach a high level, can catch fire and explode due to being combustible [3].
In September 2023, Didion Milling pleaded guilty to charges that its employees falsified environmental and safety compliance records for years leading up to the explosion. Several Didion Milling employees have also pleaded guilty to or been convicted of charges including concealing environmental violations, lying to investigators, and falsifying cleaning logs [1][2].
Didion Milling also agreed to a five-year "organizational probation", requiring it to allow federal inspectors to visit the mill without advance notice up to twice a year [1].
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2025, August 1). Didion Milling has not implemented safety recommendations. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/08/01/didion-milling-has-not-implemented-safety-recommendations-csb/7124689001/
[2] U.S. Chemical Safety Board. (2023, December). Final Report: Didion Milling, Inc. Explosion and Fire. https://www.csb.gov/reports/final-report-didion-milling-inc-explosion-and-fire/
[3] National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (n.d.). Corn Dust Explosions. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/corn/dustexplosions.html
[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Grain Handling Facilities. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/grainhandling/index.html
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