Washington pulp mill where 11 died had record of safety complaints

Key Points:

• A chemical tank collapse at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co.'s pulp mill in Longview, Washington, killed 11 workers in May, with investigations revealing a history of safety complaints, poor maintenance, and toxic chemical discharges at the plant.
• State and federal agencies had issued numerous violation notices and fines since 2016, including 54 environmental violations and nearly $7,000 in safety fines, while workers' compensation claims for injuries related to chemical exposure exceeded $2.4 million since 2015.
• The U.S. Chemical Safety Board reported the company knew the tank was unfit for service but continued its use, and ongoing investigations have uncovered additional safety issues such as a detached valve handle on an ammonia tank and a worker falling into a sinkhole filled with hot chemicals.
• Residents near the plant frequently reported noxious odors and health effects, with multiple releases of hazardous chemicals like methyl mercaptan and sulfur dioxide documented, leading to fines and regulatory scrutiny.
• The plant has a documented history of equipment failures and chemical spills, including significant releases of black liquor and white liquor, as well as chlorine leaks and a fire attributed to poorly maintained, aging equipment.