Last updated: July 13, 2026

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Overview

A catastrophic industrial event happened at the Longview, Wash., facility of Nippon Dynawave on May 26, 2026. Tragically, 11 lives were lost and there were multiple injuries.

Our hearts go out to the workers, their families and friends, and the entire Longview community.

"We're committed to getting to the bottom of this and figuring out what happened," said L&I Director Joel Sacks. "L&I is conducting a detailed investigation seeking answers and accountability."

Every employer is responsible for providing a workplace free from recognized hazards that could injure or kill workers. L&I has statutory authority to make sure employers follow the rules to keep workers and the public safe. The agency also oversees the workers' compensation system to help workers and their families in the wake of workplace injuries or deaths. 

It's important to be transparent. We are posting information about the Nippon Dynawave tank rupture on this page. It is the central source for information about L&I's response, resources available to affected workers and families, and information about L&I's investigation.

Information About the Tragedy

Just after 7 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, a chemical tank ruptured at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview, Wash.

The tank held approximately 900,000 gallons of white liquor, a chemical mixture commonly used at paper mills to break down wood into pulp.

There are 11 confirmed fatalities. There were also multiple serious injuries and hospitalizations.

Family and Worker Support

Nippon Dynawave is part of the state workers' compensation system managed by L&I. We provided resources to the Family Support Center set up at the Association of Western Pulp & Paper Workers Hall in Longview, and we're working to support families out of our Kelso office.

Response and Investigation

L&I immediately opened a workplace safety and health investigation. Our goal is to determine what happened, identify any workplace safety violations, and help prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Our staff have been on-site since May 26. That includes specialized investigators who focus on high-hazard chemical industries. They're communicating with first responders to help make the site safe, both for our team and the ongoing recovery effort.

We started with preliminary work that could be done safely without interfering with emergency response efforts. Now the site is safe and the recovery effort is completed, inspection of the collapsed tank and surrounding areas will begin.

As part of the investigation, we will gather relevant documentation, including safety plans and hazard assessments. Our inspectors will interview witnesses and conduct a thorough physical inspection of the site. Then they'll make determinations about what happened, whether there were violations of safety rules, and whether those violations will result in penalties.

Workers are entitled to protection from retaliation for voicing safety or health concerns in the workplace. Employers may not fire, discipline, or retaliate against workers for exercising their workplace safety & health rights.

  • Once the investigation has been completed, a closing conference will be held with employer and worker representatives. In a closing conference, L&I shares findings with the employer and worker representatives to make clear what the employer needs to do to correct any issues, and on what timeline.
  • L&I has 180 days, by law, to complete an investigation, and for large, complex inspections like this one, it will likely take the full 180 days.
  • Once the employer receives the final findings of the inspection, they have 15 working days to appeal any violations.

We'll release the results of the investigation on this web page when the investigation is complete.

Information about safety and health investigations for all employers, including Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co., can be found on L&I's Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business web page.

L&I Inspections of Nippon Dynawave

Here's a historical list of L&I inspections of Nippon Dynawave listed by L&I division or program.

SAFETY & HEALTH

This is an overview of L&I's safety and health regulatory actions since Nippon Dynawave purchased the Longview facility in 2016.

For definitions of violations, details about penalties, and explanations of the complaint process, go to L&I Safety & Health Compliance History at Nippon Dynawave.

Regulatory history

  • Issued Jan. 29, 2018: In response to a referral (report from a non-employee). No violations found.
    • Report of a crane being used to slow down a 38-ton reel of paper because the machine intended to slow it down was not working.
  • Issued Dec. 6, 2018: In response to a referral. No violations found on inspection.
    • A worker was injured when a machine started unexpectedly, dropping a roll of paper and breaking his leg. 
  • Issued Feb. 12, 2020: In response to a worker complaint. One Serious violation, $700 fine.
    • Two workers were directed to enter a press to clean. Machine was not “locked out” to prevent the possibility of the machine turning on unintentionally.
  • Issued June 11, 2021 (view inspection results): One Serious violation, $2,700 fine.
    • Workers were not wearing required face coverings (COVID-era regulations) and there was no screening in place for workers. 
  • Issued Dec. 30, 2021 (view inspection results): In response to employer report of hospitalized worker. One Serious violation, $700 fine.
    • Inspection triggered by report of an outbreak of 10 COVID cases in 28 days. While there, inspector saw a worker on an unprotected platform about 5 feet off the ground, without fall protection.
  • Issued June 24, 2025 (view inspection results): In response to an employer report. One General violation, no fine.
    • Equipment involved in an employee finger amputation was moved before inspection and release by L&I.
  • Opened March 4, 2026: Inspection ongoing in response to a complaint.
    • Complaint asserts that a tank had a broken valve, creating risk of toxic exposure or pressure buildup and explosion. When inspectors responded, company had taken the tank offline and repaired it.
  • Opened: May 6, 2026: Inspection ongoing in response to a complaint.
    • Complaint asserts a drain valve malfunction on a paper machine created a sink hole an employee fell into.

Complaints handled without inspections

  • Complaint received May 20, 2020
    • Hazard description: Complainant questioned qualifications for some managers running equipment.
    • Employer response: The managers in question had extensive previous experience and are responsible for certifying employees to work with the machinery in question.
    • L&I determination: No further action was required.
  • Complaint received June 10, 2020
    • Hazard description: Bolts sticking out of the ground which created a tripping hazard. Gaping holes in the floor and employees using narrow un-sturdy walkways.
    • Employer response: There was work being done in the area in question where a hole had to be opened up. Temporary guard rails and floor hole coverings were put in place to protect employees in the area while the problem was being fixed. Pictures were provided as evidence.
    • L&I determination: No further action was required.
  • Complaint received Jan. 20, 2021
    • Hazard description: COVID-19 precautions not being enforced with workers not wearing masks unless management comes around.
    • Employer response: Employer provided copies of their COVID-19 requirements and postings available to their employees about actions needed for the pandemic. Supervisors also were required to fill out checklists on each shift that reinforced the use of masks. A cleaning service was hired to clean gathering areas and the employer provided personal protective equipment (PPE).
    • L&I determination: No further action was required.
BOILER & ELECTRICAL PROGRAMS

Boiler program

The tank involved in the Nippon Dynawave incident was not a boiler or pressurized storage tank; however, there are 303 objects at the Longview site that are covered by L&I's Boiler program, with inspections and certification for those objects generally every 2 years.

Over the past 5 years, there have been more than 720 inspections of these at the site.

All inspections are up to date — there are minor open items noted related to worn nameplates on machines.

L&I does not inspect boilers and other pressurized storage tanks at the Longview site. L&I oversees the certification of the roughly 140 certified inspectors who perform most boiler inspections statewide (13 work for L&I, while the rest work for third parties).

At the Longview site, on-site work has been performed primarily by Factory Mutual Insurance Company (“FM” or previously “FM Global” (UBI 601-129-183)) with 3 tanks inspected by Arise Boiler Inspection & Insurance (UBI 602-922-420).

In general, for third-party inspections:

  • Inspections are done by the certified inspectors who submit reports to L&I
  • L&I reviews the data on the reports

Electrical program

The Electrical program has not had any recorded work on, around, or related to the tank that failed in the last 5 years.

There have been 160 electrical inspections at the site over the past 5 years. There are 4 open electrical permits at the site. There were no pending corrections at the time of the incident.

Electrical inspections happen on this site in one of 2 ways: An electrical contractor requests inspection for installation, or the owner/contractor has an annual maintenance permit that has scheduled inspections every month.

Both types of inspections happen the same way at this location:

  • Meet the representative at the access gate, ensure required personnel protective equipment is in place (PPE), and if required, have a safety briefing for the inspection area.
  • Go to the inspection area or review the maintenance list; inspect requested items to RCW 19.28, WAC 296.46B, and the National Electric Code.
  • Review corrections, if any, with the electrical representative, and go back to the gate.
  • Enter inspection results into the L&I inspection database.
  • Notify the contractor or owner on the same day.
ELEVATOR PROGRAM

Elevator program

The Elevator program has not had any recent recorded work on, around, or related to the tank that failed in the last 5 years.

The firm does have conveyances covered by this program at the site. There have been 59 inspections of conveyances over the past 5 years. No outstanding issues were noted.

In general, Elevator program inspections happen on this site in one of 2 ways: An elevator contractor requests an inspection for an installation, alteration, or conveyance accident investigation, or the owner has an annual operating permit that has scheduled inspections every year.

Both types of inspections happen the same way at this location:

  • Meet the representative at the access gate, ensure required personnel protective equipment is in place (PPE), and if required, have a safety briefing for the inspection area.
  • Go to the inspection area or review the maintenance list; inspect requested items to RCW 70.87, WAC 296.96, and the National Electric Code.
  • Review corrections, if any, with the elevator representative, and go back to the gate.
  • Enter inspection results into the L&I inspection database.
  • Notify the contractor or owner on the same day.
WORKER PAY & RIGHTS

Employment Standards program

There have been 17 wage complaints involving this worksite filed at L&I over the past 5 years, and a total of 71 over the past 10 years.

Most of these center around meal and rest breaks. There have been no citations or Determinations of Compliance issued.

The last wage complaint was filed Sept. 24, 2024, and all complaints have been resolved.

Employment Standards complaints
Year Amount
2026 0
2025 0
2024 2
2023 4
2022 0
2021 11
2020 35
2019 6
2018 10
2017 3
2016 0

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