Mudge Porter Lundeen & Seguin, S.C.
  • Home
  • Firm Overview
    • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Business Law
    • Employment Law
    • Family Law
    • Felony And Misdemeanor Offenses
    • Personal Injury
    • Wills Estate Planning And Probate
    • Workers’ Compensation
  • Blog
  • Contact
Select Page

Combustible dust likely factor in fatal industrial explosion

On behalf of Mudge Porter Lundeen & Seguin, S.C. | Feb 2, 2018 | Industrial Workers' Accidents

Last month, the lead investigator with the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) stated that “almost certainly” combustible dust contributed to the explosion that killed five workers. The tragic accident occurred on May 31 at Didion Milling, located in Columbia County in the southern portion of the state.

The CSB is authorized by Congress to investigate industrial explosions. They are working in conjunction with state and federal agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Combustible dust is not a hazard that’s unique to this industry. The lead investigator said that they “want to learn what causes safety hazards, and what are the larger safety concerns. We try to understand why an incident happened (and) what we can do to prevent similar incidents.”

Thus far, although its investigation is still incomplete, the CSB has spent months inspecting the explosion site, its heavy equipment and the damaged building. They also interviewed multiple witnesses and constructed a computer model of the the explosion and its likely causes. The lead investigator said one goal is to increase understanding of this common industrial hazard.

She also suggested that a possible result of the CSB investigation is that best practices for the industry may be established. Additionally, they may suggest implementation of regulations to help industry professionals develop awareness of the hazards of combustible dust, and how they could potentially be alleviated.

Because the Chemical Safety Board isn’t a regulatory agency, its investigation is conducted independently of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) investigation. OSHA levied almost $2 million in penalties against Didion for alleged fire safety shortfalls. The company has filed an appeal.

In a 2009 video, the CSB illustrated what happens after combustible dust explodes. Any industry that works with fine particles that are by-products of materials like wood, food products, plastics, metal, coal, rubber and chemicals that accumulate over time are susceptible to these explosions. One spark can ignite a conflagration as long as oxygen, confinement and dispersion also are factors.

If you lost a loved one in an industrial accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.

Source: Portage Daily Register, “Federal investigator: Dust likely contributed to Cambria explosion,” Lyn Jerde, Jan. 19, 2018

Recent Posts

  • New study reviews cost-saving measures for workers’ comp
  • Injured Wisconsin worker receiving care in Denver spinal facility
  • 3 Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Mudge Porter Lundeen & Seaguin, S.C. Welcomes Attorney Tyler T. Kongslien
  • Why everyone needs an estate plan

Categories

  • Animal Bites
  • blog
  • Brain Injury
  • Car Accidents
  • Construction Workers' Accidents
  • Estate Planning
  • Family Law
  • Firm News
  • Industrial Workers' Accidents
  • Industrial Workers’ Accidents
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Personal Injury
  • Toxic Exposure
  • Truck Accidents
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Workplace Injuries
  • Workplace Safety
  • Wrongful Death

Archives

  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

Tell Us About Your Case

Mudge Porter Lundeen & Seguin, S.C.

110 Second Street
Post Office Box 469
Hudson, WI 54016

Map & Directions

715-338-3312

  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
Review The Firm
Make A Payment

© 2019 Mudge Porter Lundeen & Seguin, S.C.. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters