CSB Updated the Status of 11 Incident Recommendations – 9-19-25
Yesterday the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) updated their Recent Recommendation Status Updates page, closing five recommendations with acceptable alternative actions. These actions left 117 of 1019 recommendations open. Additionally, the CSB updated the open status of six recommendations. The CSB took all of these actions on September 19th, 2025. The previous update was published on September 6th, 2025.
The five recommendations recently closed recommendations are:
Evergreen Packaging Paper Mill – Fire During Hot Work - 2020-07-I-NC-R6 - Universal Blastco,
Didion Milling Company Explosion and Fire - 2017-07-I-WI-R1 - Didion Milling, Inc.,
Didion Milling Company Explosion and Fire - 2017-07-I-WI-R5 - Didion Milling, Inc.,
Didion Milling Company Explosion and Fire - 2017-07-I-WI-R6 - Didion Milling, Inc., and
Didion Milling Company Explosion and Fire - 2017-07-I-WI-R9 - Didion Milling, Inc.
Five of the six ‘updated open investigations’ are associated with the Yenkin-Majestic Resin Plant Vapor Cloud Explosion and Fire that occurred on April 8th, 2021. The five updates were all assigned to Yenkin-Majestic Paint Corporation. The CSB changed the status to ‘Open – Unacceptable
Response/No Response Received’, noting that:
“To date, Yenkin-Majestic/OPC Polymers has not provided information responsive to the recommendations. CSB staff have made multiple attempts to elicit such information, all of which have been unsuccessful. The CSB hopes that further dialogue will cause Yenkin-Majestic to act on these recommendations.”
The remaining open status update was from the Aghorn Operating Inc. Waterflood Station Hydrogen Sulfide Release that occurred on October 26, 2019. The update was to a recommendation for Aghorn Operating Inc. and was changed to ‘Open – Acceptable Response or Alternate Response’. Aghorn has provided CSB with an implementation plan for their corrective actions.
Evergreen Packaging Paper Mill – Fire During Hot Work
Incident Date: September 21st, 2020 Report Date: September 24th, 2021
2020-07-I-NC-R6 - Universal Blastco
“Universal Blastco provided the CSB with an updated hot work Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that defines hot work operations as work that includes any applications producing a spark, flame, or heat, and that also states that the use of any tool or piece of equipment that may be a source of heat is considered hot work requiring a hot work permit, including heat guns. Additionally, they provided an SOP on the use of heat guns and identified their use as hot work. Both SOPs had training requirements addressing various hot work and confined space hazards. A list of trained employees was also provided.”
Closed – Acceptable Action
Didion Milling Company Explosion and Fire
Incident Date: May 31st, 2017 Report Date: December 6th, 2023
2017-07-I-WI-R1 - Didion Milling
“Didion developed a combustible dust management policy with the help of a third party. The policy is based on NFPA 652, Chapter 8, and covers the elements listed in the recommendation among others. The CSB reviewed a copy of Didion’s policy to confirm implementation of the recommendation. The recommendation has been satisfactorily implemented.”
Closed – Acceptable Action
2017-07-I-WI-R5 - Didion Milling
“Didion has incorporated the process safety information (PSI) for their processes handling combustible dust into their electronic records management system. Didion’s record management practices regarding PSI are documented in their combustible dust management policy. Several electronic platforms are used to create and store these records. The CSB reviewed Didion’s policy and several examples from the electronic platforms to ensure implementation of the recommendation. The recommendation has been implemented.”
Closed – Acceptable Action
2017-07-I-WI-R6 - Didion Milling
“Didion performed a personal protective equipment (PPE) hazard analysis with the support of a third party. Based on that analysis, Didion implemented requirements for the use of flame resistant garments by their employees, including under normal and upset conditions. The CSB reviewed Didion’s PPE hazard analysis forms to confirm implementation of the recommendation. The recommendation has been satisfactorily implemented.”
Closed – Acceptable Action
2017-07-I-WI-R9 - Didion Milling
“Didion has not implemented the recommendation as written but has instead established their own full-time safety and environmental staff including a vice president and director level positions and implemented a new safety and health management system. Didion’s safety and health management system was designed in accordance with current guidance applicable to facilities such as theirs and includes a robust auditing system. The CSB reviewed a copy of Didion’s safety and health management system and related documentation. The CSB determined that Didion’s actions post incident are an acceptable alternative that meets the objective of the recommendation.”
Closed – Acceptable Alternative Action