Nippon Dynawave Workers Return to Mill as Recovery Continues After Fatal Tank Failure

Most employees at Nippon Dynawave’s paper mill in Longview, Washington, returned to the worksite on Monday under a negotiated plan, marking a significant step toward recovery following a chemical tank failure on May 26 that killed 11 people and injured eight others.

The return-to-work arrangement was negotiated by the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers, which represents employees at the facility. However, the move does not signal a full resumption of mill operations, as several departments remain offline and critical repairs are still underway.

According to the union, employees whose departments have yet to resume operations will be assigned temporary duties supporting safety, recovery and operational readiness. These responsibilities include safety reviews, training, housekeeping and painting. Employees not immediately scheduled to return will continue receiving pay through at least January 17.

Bill Sauters, the union’s Washington state representative and a longtime Nippon Dynawave employee, acknowledged the emotional challenges workers face as they return to a site associated with the loss of colleagues and friends.

The May 26 incident occurred when a tank containing highly caustic white liquor ruptured, resulting in 11 fatalities and eight injuries. Contractors were still working on repairs to the damaged tanks on Monday. The tanks are critical to the mill’s paper production process, and their restoration remains a key requirement for the facility to return to normal operations.

Safety concerns under investigation

The disaster has drawn scrutiny over the mill’s maintenance practices and response to earlier safety warnings. Federal investigators reportedly found that the company had been warned nearly 10 months before the incident that the tank’s steel walls were dangerously thin and required repairs. Nippon Dynawave has disputed aspects of those findings.

The incident has also led to legal action. Some families of workers who died in the disaster filed lawsuits against the company, and reports indicate that Nippon Dynawave has moved to dismiss at least one of the cases.

Implications for workers and the local community

The phased return is an important development for employees and the wider Longview community, where the mill is a significant source of employment and economic activity. Union representatives have warned that a prolonged shutdown or permanent closure would have serious consequences for the surrounding community.

While the return of most employees signals progress in the recovery process, the mill’s operating outlook remains dependent on the completion of repairs, safety assessments and the restoration of affected departments.

For the pulp and paper industry, the incident also underscores the importance of equipment integrity, timely maintenance and effective implementation of safety recommendations at facilities handling hazardous process chemicals.

Nippon Dynawave had not provided an update on the mill’s recovery to KGW at the time of its report.