Tank at Washington Paper Mill Was Unsafe for a Year Before Deadly Collapse, Investigators Find
Published on 08/30/2026 at 14:27 | Editorial boerse-global.de
A storage tank at a US paper mill was unfit for service for nearly a year before it catastrophically failed, killing 11 workers — a finding that carries stark lessons for UK employers about acting on safety inspections.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has determined that a storage tank at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview, Washington, showed serious structural problems as early as July 2025. The tank collapsed on May 26, 2026, releasing around 900,000 gallons of caustic white liquor, a chemical mixture containing sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide.
This tragedy underscores a critical lesson for UK employers: a risk assessment is only as good as the action it triggers. When inspections reveal structural or chemical hazards, failing to act can have devastating consequences. A free toolkit with 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists helps you document risks properly and keep your workplace safe. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
Warnings Ignored
A contractor identified significant concerns during an inspection in July 2025. Applied Technical Services found that the tank walls had thinned below safe operating levels and recommended immediate internal inspections and repairs. Despite these findings, the tank remained in operation.
Federal officials reported that subsequent assessments in October 2025 and February 2026 confirmed the continued degradation of the tank's integrity. The company did not perform the suggested repairs or reduce the pressure within the tank following these reports.
CSB Chair Steve Owens described the decision to keep the tank in service as a significant concern, given the documented thinning of the metal.
Human and Environmental Impact
The failure resulted in the deaths of 11 workers and injured several others, including a firefighter who responded to the scene. Among the victims were brothers Bradley Kyle Covington and Tyler Scott Covington, as well as Norman Barlow, Gilbert Bernal, and CJ Doran.
Family members of those killed reported that some workers had expressed concerns about site safety and were seeking employment elsewhere prior to the disaster.
The massive spill also triggered an environmental response, as crews worked to flush drainage ditches and dilute the chemicals before they could reach the Columbia River. The Washington Department of Ecology has since issued 35 environmental violations in connection with the spill.
When hazardous substances are involved, the stakes rise dramatically. The COSHH regulations place a legal duty on UK employers to assess and control risks from dangerous chemicals — and the paperwork must be in place before an incident, not after. A free toolkit with 43 customisable templates, checklists and toolbox talks helps you meet your obligations and protect your workforce. Get the free COSHH Toolkit
Legal Action and Company Response
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in Cowlitz County Superior Court. The suit, initiated by the mother of two of the victims, alleges that Nippon Dynawave Packaging and Nippon Paper Industries USA were negligent in their maintenance, inspection, and shutdown protocols.
Nippon Paper Group has offered condolences to the families affected by the incident. While federal investigators have highlighted the failure to act on previous inspections, Nippon Dynawave has stated that its own internal investigation into the matter remains ongoing.
The mill has faced previous safety challenges, including a large fire at the same location in July 2023.
