OSHA Fines Horizon Biofuels $147,542 Following Fatal Nebraska Explosion

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations totaling $147,542 in proposed penalties against Horizon Biofuels Inc. on February 10, 2026, following a July 29, 2025 explosion at the company's Fremont, Nebraska facility. The blast killed Dylan D. Danielson, 32, an employee, and his two daughters—Hayven, age 12, and Fayeah, age 8—who were in the facility's break room waiting for their father.

OSHA initiated an investigation on July 29, 2025 and cited the company for willful and serious violations including combustible dust buildup, failure to protect equipment from creating ignition sources, and lack of fall protection for employees working at heights greater than four feet. The company has 15 business days from receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board issued a preliminary report on September 17, 2025 stating the explosion resulted from a combustible wood dust explosion, which CSB Chairperson Steve Owens called "a well-known – and completely avoidable – hazard in wood processing." The CSB investigation found that shortly before noon on July 29, dust or smoke began releasing from the tower, followed by flames and a large explosion that caused significant structural collapse.

Horizon Biofuels was previously cited by OSHA in 2012 for five serious violations, four of which carried financial penalties. The violations included failure to prevent wood dust accumulation, inadequate energy control procedures, insufficient employee training, and lack of a written hazard communication program. The company settled for $6,000 in penalties. In February 2025, the Nebraska Department of Water, Environment and Energy investigated an air quality complaint and found wood dust beyond the facility's property line.

The Fremont facility manufactures wood pellets for heating fuel and animal bedding under the brand Elkhorn Valley Animal Bedding. OSHA records indicate penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the case proceedings.

Key Points

• OSHA issued $147,542 in proposed penalties for willful and serious violations
• July 29, 2025 explosion killed three people: employee Dylan Danielson, 32, and his daughters Hayven, 12, and Fayeah, 8
• Violations cited include combustible dust buildup, inadequate ignition protection, and fall protection failures
• CSB preliminary findings indicate combustible wood dust caused the explosion
• Company was previously cited by OSHA in 2012 for five serious violations, four carrying financial penalties, including wood dust accumulation issues
• Horizon Biofuels has 15 business days to comply, request conference, or contest citations
• February 2025 state environmental investigation found wood dust beyond property boundaries

Primary Source Author: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Primary Source: OSHA News Release 26-170-DAL

Primary Source Link: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20260210

Supplemental Links

• https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/dallas/20260210
• https://www.csb.gov/csb-issues-update-on-its-investigation-of-the-fatal-explosion/
• https://www.oshrc.gov/
• https://www.osha.gov/combustible-dust
• https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.html
• https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/fremont-plant-fined-nearly-148000-by-osha-for-fatal-explosion-last-summer/
• https://www.csb.gov/us-chemical-safety-board-deploys-to-fatal-explosion-at-horizon-biofuels-facility-in-nebraska/
• https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fremont-nebraska-horizon-biofuels-plant-explosion/
• https://www.osha.gov/complianceassistance/cas
• https://www.osha.gov/consultation