Washington Labor & Industries Opens Inspections at State’s Other Kraft Paper Mills

Two new inspections into kraft pulp and paper mills in Washington have been opened, following ongoing investigations at the Nippon Dynawave mill where a tank failure killed 11 workers.

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries said investigations are going on at two other active paper mills in the state that use the same process used at the Nippon Dynawave mill, where caustic chemical compounds, including one known as white liquor, are used to help break down wood into pulp for paper product manufacturing in a process known as kraft pulping.

In the weeks following the implosion of a massive tank at the paper mill that spilled hundreds of thousands of gallons of chemicals – believed to be the deadliest industrial accident in state history – managers of similar operations have been dialing up their insurance brokers to find out how well they’re protected.

One investigation is occurring at a mill run by Smurfit Westrock, also in Longview. The other, run by Port Townsend Paper Company, is in Port Townsend.

Employers are required by Washington law to assess hazards on their work site, including those involving storage tanks and handling hazardous chemicals and take steps to control those hazards.

L&I Director Joel Sacks in a statement called the investigations and the targeted enforcement program “precautionary, proactive steps for worker safety at Washington’s paper mills.”

L&I said its inspections will focus on whether these mills are following requirements. A list of things investigators will review include:

• Tank maintenance, inspection, testing and open repair items;
• Relevant Environmental Protection Agency or Washington Department of Ecology reports, including records of spills or breaches that impact workers;
• Written procedures for the operation and maintenance of the tanks;
• Injuries or near misses for employees and contractors working around the tanks.

The inspections could take up to six months, and results will be published when the work is complete, according to L&I.

Topics Washington