Employees at Didion Milling Inc. in Cambria, Wis. saw and smelled smoke and tried to determine its source before the May 31, 2017 explosion that killed five people and injured 14 others, according to a new update on the explosion investigation by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board. (CSB) The update, based on the perspectives of 10 of the 14 survivors, provides new insight on the moments before the deadly blast at the corn milling facility located about 45 minutes northeast of Madison. The agency said its examination of dust management at Didion and its full technical analysis of the incident are still underway and will be included in its final report.
Didion Milling Fatal Explosion
Didion processes corn and corn by-products for ethanol plants. The explosion occurred at its dry milling plant where corn kernels are milled into a medium or fine meal. The dust that is created in this process needs to be contained because it is combustible.
Didion has been cited three times by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for dust explosion safety risks -once in 2013 and twice in 2010. The company was also cited by OSHA for fall risks twice in 2014 and an amputation incident in 2012.
On May 31, 2017 workers who survived the blast told the CSB that the night was routine until some of them saw and smelled smoke and tried to find its source. Between 10:30 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. they had focussed in on the gap mill and witnessed an air filter blow off of the gap mill’s air intake line. Corn dust filled the air and a flame three- to four feet in length shot from the air intake line.
At 11:00 p.m. the explosion occurred, killing Pawel Tordoff, 21, Duelle Block, 27 and Robert Goodenow, 53. Angel Reyes, 46, died June 6 from injuries he sustained that night. Carlos “Charly” Nunez died June 23 at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison burn unit where he had been receiving treatment for his injuries
Others who were wounded suffered third-degree burns and other explosion injuries. Twenty-three-year-old Collin Vander Galien lost both of his legs when they were crushed by a rail car that landed on them after the explosion.
Didion Protests OSHA Fines
After completing its investigation of the explosion, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said it found 19 safety violations and proposed $1,837,861 in fines against the company after determining the blast “likely resulted from Didion’s failures to correct the leakage and accumulation of highly combustible grain dust throughout the facility and to properly maintain equipment to control ignition sources.”
Among OSHA’s findings were Didion’s failure to:
- Control dust accumulation
- Shut down ignition sources
- Prevent static electricity discharges
- Provide adequate safety controls
- Perform required maintenance
- Have an emergency alarm system
- Adequately train employees
Didion said it would protest some of the fines.