CSB Begins Investigation of Explosion at Nebraska Biofuels Plant

A fatal explosion at a biofuels facility in Fremont, Nebraska, on July 29 has prompted an investigation by the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), the agency announced. The incident killed a 32-year-old man who worked at Horizon Biofuels and his two daughters, who were waiting at the plant for their father to bring them to a doctor’s appointment. According to a local news report, the girls were 12 and 8 years old.

“This horrific incident should never have happened,” said CSB Chairperson Steve Owens. “We want to prevent a terrible tragedy like this from occurring again.”

The Horizon facility produces wood fuel pellets and animal bedding, CSB stated. The agency indicated that combustible dust might have been the source of the explosion. Fires were still burning inside the facility on Aug. 6, according to WOWT.com.

In 2012, OSHA issued five “serious” citations to the facility related to lockout/tagout, worker training, cleanliness, and hazard communication. The citations amounted to $6,000 in penalties.