Didion Milling Responds to CSB Report

Dec. 13, 2023
After the CSB published its final accident report on a fatal accident at Didion Milling, the company issued a statement disagreeing with some aspects of the CSB’s findings.

On Dec. 10, Didion Milling Inc. provided Chemical Processing with a media statement in response to the Dec. 6 report on the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) findings on the deadly explosions and fires at the company’s dry corn milling facility in Cambria, Wisconsin.

The statement from Didion Milling is as follows:

Didion Milling is pleased that the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigations Board (CSB) agrees with Didion that the tragic 2017 explosion that occurred at its Cambria, Wisconsin mill was not started by fugitive dust relating to housekeeping procedures but resulted from the ignition of corn dust inside process equipment. However, Didion disagrees with much of CSB’s report. Both Didion and leading combustible dust safety experts provided the agency with data to correct the report’s many factual errors; however, CSB did not include a significant amount of that information in its report.

The majority of recommendations in CSB’s report had already been implemented when Didion built its new mill in 2018. The new mill was designed and constructed with the guidance of several leading engineering and safety experts to exceed industry safety and quality standards. Didion continually evaluates safety procedures and equipment to remain consistent with – if not ahead of – industry best practices.

Didion continues to hold those lost and injured in the accident in our hearts and joins with them, their loved ones, and our communities in the spirit of healing.

Chemical Processing has reached out to the CSB for comment and will update if the agency responds. 

About the Author

Amanda Joshi | Managing Editor

Amanda Joshi has more than 18 years of experience in business-to-business publishing for both print and digital content. Before joining Chemical Processing, she worked with Manufacturing.net and Electrical Contracting Products. She’s a versatile, award-winning editor with experience in writing and editing technical content, executing marketing strategy, developing new products, attending industry events and developing customer relationships. 

Amanda graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2001 with a B.A. in English and has been an English teacher. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and daughter, and their mini Aussiedoodle, Riley. In her rare spare time, she enjoys reading, tackling DIY projects, and horseback riding.