Washington Opens Two Additional Paper Mill Safety Inspections
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 in May, Insurance Journal reported (7-6-2026).
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) said investigations are underway at two other active paper mills in the state that use the same kraft pulping process. The process uses caustic chemical compounds, including white liquor, to help break down wood into pulp for paper product manufacturing.
L&I Director Joel Sacks called the investigations and targeted enforcement program “precautionary, proactive steps for worker safety at Washington’s paper mills.”
One investigation is taking place at a Smurfit Westrock mill in Longview. The other is at a Port Townsend Paper Company mill in Port Townsend.
The inspections could take up to six months, and results will be published when the work is complete, according to L&I.
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