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U.S. Department of Labor | Nov. 17, 2017
CAMBRIA, WI – The
U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
has proposed $1,837,861 in fines against Didion Milling Inc. following a May
31, 2017, explosion that killed five workers and injured 12 others, including a
21-year-old employee who suffered a double leg amputation after being crushed
by a railcar.
OSHA found that the explosion 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. OSHA cited Didion’s Cambria facility with 14 willful – including
eight willful per-instance egregious–
and five serious citations, most involving fire and explosion hazards. The
company has been placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
“Didion Milling could have prevented this tragedy if it had
addressed hazards that are well-known in this industry,” said OSHA Regional
Administrator Ken Nishiyama Atha, in Chicago. “Instead, their disregard for the
law led to an explosion that claimed the lives of workers, and heartbreak for their
families and the community.”
The egregious willful citations were issued for violating
OSHA’s Grain Handling standard by failing to perform required maintenance on
operating equipment and implementing a housekeeping program to control dust
accumulations. Willful citations were issued for failure to shut down ignition
sources, prevent static electricity discharge, provide adequate personal
protective equipment to employees, correct malfunctioning dust collection
systems, maintain equipment safety controls, and have an emergency alarm
system. Serious citations addressed hazards associated with fires and
explosions, and the lack of employee training.
The company has 15 business days
from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an
informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational
Safety and Health Review Commission.
Under the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for
providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to
ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and
enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For
more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
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Media Contacts:
Scott Allen, 312-353-4727, allen.scott@dol.gov
Rhonda Burke, 312-353-6976 burke.rhonda@dol.gov
Release Number: 17-1501-CHI
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