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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 28, 2026Miami-Dade

Federal investigators report chemical tank was flagged as unfit for service before deadly Longview mill failure

A federal investigation found that a chemical tank at a Washington paper mill was labeled 'not fit for continued service' by inspectors 10 months before it ruptured in May 2026, killing 11 people. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board reported that the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company received multiple warnings about significant wall thinning but did not perform recommended repairs or remove the tank from operation.

workplace safetyindustrial accidentschemical safetyinvestigation
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Why It Matters

The report highlights a failure to act on safety warnings that resulted in the release of 900,000 gallons of caustic , causing 11 deaths and multiple injuries at a Longview facility.

Key Facts

  • The U.S. Chemical Safety Board found the tank was 'not fit for continued service' as early as July 2025.
  • 11 people were killed in the May 26, 2026, tank failure.
  • The tank released approximately 900,000 gallons of white liquor, a caustic chemical used in paper production.
  • Applied Technical Services LLC identified 'significant thinning' of the tank walls in July 2025, October 2025, and February 2026.
  • The company did not remove the tank from service or perform recommended shell repairs.
  • The Washington Department of Ecology issued 35 environmental violations to Nippon Dynawave earlier this week.
  • The failure occurred around 7 a.m. as employees were arriving for work.
  • The tank failure destroyed parts of surrounding buildings and flooded the courtyard.
  • A member of the company's emergency response team was seriously injured after wading into the chemical pool, believing it was water.
  • The investigation into the cause of the failure remains ongoing.

Who's Mentioned

organizationWashington Department of Ecology“State agency that issued 35 environmental violations to the company.”organizationApplied Technical Services LLC“Contractor that performed the safety inspections on the tank.”organizationNippon Dynawave Packaging Company“Owner of the paper mill facility where the tank failure occurred.”personKyle Findley“Lawyer representing the Covington family.”personPatty Murray“U.S. Senator from Washington.”personTyler Covington“Worker killed in the incident.”personBradley Covington“Worker killed in the incident.”organizationAssociation of Western Pulp and Paper Workers“Labor union representing workers at the facility.”organizationU.S. Chemical Safety Board“Federal agency investigating the industrial accident.”personSteve Owens“Chairperson of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board.”