Longview, Washington – A review of state and federal inspection records by the Associated Press reveals a pattern of safety complaints, poor maintenance and repeated chemical releases at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. pulp mill where a chemical tank collapsed in May, killing 11 workers.
History of violations and fines
Since 2016, Washington’s Department of Ecology issued 54 environmental violation notices to the plant and levied $41,500 in fines for eight serious infractions. The state Department of Labor and Industries has investigated more than a dozen safety complaints dating back to 2018, issuing nearly $7,000 in fines for workplace violations.
Recent incidents and ongoing investigations
In addition to the May tank failure, the plant has been cited for a detached valve handle on an ammonia clarifier tank, an open valve that exposed delivery drivers to toxic air, and a sinkhole incident in April that left a worker waist‑deep in hot stock for 35 to 40 seconds. State inspectors fined the facility $2,890 for failing to inspect and maintain pipes, hoses and valves, the highest penalty imposed on the plant in the past decade.
Federal agencies also flagged problems. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board reported that the company knew the tank was “not fit for continued service” months before it failed. The EPA’s National Response Center logged eight reports of methyl mercaptan releases between 2017 and 2023, and the plant has experienced black liquor, chlorine and white liquor spills in recent years.
Expert concerns
Stephen Kmiotek, a chemical‑engineering professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, called the series of equipment failures a “red flag” and said the site “has not been maintained,” creating risk to employees and the public.
Company response
Sam Jefferies, a spokesperson for Nippon Dynawave, declined to comment on the maintenance records, stating the company is cooperating with state and federal regulators and will allow the investigative process to proceed before drawing conclusions.
Legal action
Sheri Lynn King, mother of two brothers who were killed, has filed a wrongful‑death lawsuit alleging the company failed to maintain and inspect equipment, properly train and supervise workers, and implement adequate safety and emergency‑response policies.
The plant employs roughly 530 workers and produces pulp for paper goods. More than $2.4 million in workers’ compensation claims have been paid for 169 employees injured on the job since 2015, including injuries related to exposure to caustic substances.
State and federal investigations remain ongoing, with additional citations and fines expected as regulators continue to examine the plant’s compliance with safety and environmental standards.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
