CSB Concludes that Didion Has Implemented the Agency’s Recommendations
Washington, D.C. August 12, 2026 -- The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) said today that Didion Milling, Inc. (Didion) has now implemented all nine safety recommendations issued to the company by the CSB stemming from the agency’s investigation of the fatal May 2017 explosion at Didion’s Cambria, Wisconsin, facility. The explosion killed five employees and seriously injured 14 others.
The CSB issued the nine recommendations to Didion in December 2023, when the agency released its final report on the incident. Didion was not initially responsive to the CSB. However, after certain actions by the CSB last year, Didion has worked cooperatively with the agency since August 2025 to implement the recommendations and provide the CSB with documentation demonstrating that all nine of the recommendations have been satisfactorily implemented.
In implementing the CSB’s recommendations, Didion has:
-
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 such 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.
CSB Chairperson Steve Owens stated, “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. 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 of a terrible event.”
The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating incidents and hazards that result, or may result, in the catastrophic release of extremely hazardous substances. The agency’s core mission activities include conducting incident investigations; formulating preventive or mitigative recommendations based on investigation findings and advocating for their implementation; issuing reports containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations arising from incident investigations; and conducting studies on chemical hazards.
The agency's board members are appointed by the president subject to Senate confirmation. The Board does not issue citations or fines but makes safety recommendations to companies, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA.
Please visit our website, www.csb.gov. For more information, contact Director of External Affairs Hillary Cohen at [email protected].