In a case highlighting the serious consequences of prioritizing profits over labor safety, several former executives of Didion Milling Inc. were sentenced to prison for their role in covering up safety violations in a deadly explosion at one of the company’s mills in 2017 Went.
Didion’s former vice president Derrick Clark, environmental manager Joseph Winch and food safety superintendent Shawn Messner were sentenced to two years in prison, handed down by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson in the Western District of Wisconsin.
Tragic Explosion Kills 5 Workers
The case arose from a catastrophic series of combustible dust explosions at Didion’s corn milling facility in Cumbria on May 31, 2017. At about 10:30 that night the milling equipment caught fire, killing five workers and seriously injuring some. Many other people were injured.
Many buildings in the mill area also collapsed due to the explosions. The subsequent investigation revealed that Didion milling operations had not adopted adequate safety measures to control the highly flammable grain dust.
Cover-Up Through Falsified Records
Prosecutors said Didion and her managers knowingly falsified logs and environmental compliance records to conceal dangerous accumulations of grain dust and the company’s lack of required cleaning procedures.
Regulatory officials at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as Didion’s own clients and auditors, were misled by her false statements about the true state of affairs regarding workplace safety and food quality.
Attorney General Merrick B. “These defendants put Didion workers in grave danger and tragically cost five lives, leaving their families and their communities devastated,” Garland said.
“Companies of all sizes should take note: National Workplace “Corporate managers can be thrown in federal prison for violating safety and environmental regulations.”
Obstructing Investigations
In addition to the cover-up, several defendants were convicted of obstructing the investigation into the deadly blast. These included perjury by Joseph Winch in his trial testimony and by Derrick Clark making false statements in a sworn statement to OSHA inspectors.
Similarly, Shawn Messner lied to OSHA when investigating the cause of the explosion. Three former Didion shift superintendents were accused of falsifying sanitation logs.
“Workplace and environmental safety is paramount,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim. “We will continue to seek to enforce rules designed to prevent workplace disasters and will also seek to punish deceptive conduct that violates these vital federal programs.” Will weaken the administration.”
$10 Million in Restitution, Fines
Last month, Didion Milling pleaded guilty and was sentenced to pay more than $10 million in restitution to victims of the explosion and an additional $1 million criminal fine. The company will also have to undergo probation with independent monitoring for five years.
The harsh sentences show authorities’ determination to crack down on employers who recklessly endanger workers through environmental crimes and workplace safety violations.
“Didion Milling and its senior managers prioritized corporate profits over employee safety and environmental protection,” said EPA Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlman. “Didion Milling and its senior managers prioritized corporate profits over employee safety and environmental protection, with tragic consequences.”
The sentences imposed this week demonstrate that EPA and its laws “Enforcement partners are committed to pursuing justice for victims of environmental crimes and their families.”
Clear Message on Worker Endangerment
Julie Su, acting Labor secretary, said the sentence puts profits over employee safety and makes clear the consequences of covering up violations.
Su said, “The Didion milling dust explosion was the result of an industrial equipment hazard. People considering falsifying records have been told that making false statements and attempting to discredit our investigation are serious crimes, and they should be treated accordingly.
This case is a great reminder that the employee safety standard includes important features: life insurance and preventing avoidable tragedians. When criminal elements in the builder and associated leadership ignore security through fraud and abuse, they will be held fully accountable and could face years in jail.