WA lists lost wages, funeral coverage resources for Nippon families
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries launched a new website designed to help the families of injured and killed Nippon Dynawave workers easily find information on state benefits and how to apply.
And in approximately six months' time, the website will also include its investigation into what caused the deadly May 26 papermaking chemical spill.
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The L&I website launched Monday gathers links, information and important numbers needed to apply for state benefits through the state workers' compensation system. The listing covers survivors' pensions, funeral cost reimbursements and more.
It can be found at lni.wa.gov/agency/messages/response-nippon-dynawave-incident.
The page will also be where L&I posts its findings into what caused the tank failure reported shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, at the paper mill located at 3401 Industrial Way in Longview.
The tank had the capacity to hold 900,000 gallons of a superheated and caustic papermaking chemical mixture known as white liquor before the tank failed - it's unclear whether it was an implosion or explosion - and spilled the bulk of its contents taking out several walls and vehicles and other equipment.
Nippon tank implosion
The failure of this 900,000 gallon storage tank at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview is shown in this drone photo taken May 27, the day after it failed. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries must complete its investigation into its cause within 180 days.
Eleven workers died, and another eight people were injured - some hospitalized for serious injuries.
The website outlines where injured workers can go to file a claim, and help with lost wages and coverage for medical care.
For immediate family members of workers killed in the incident, the website outlines instructions for the spouse or minor child of a worker who dies on the job to apply for a survivor's pension.
L&I can help reimburse a worker's funeral costs of up to $15,860, with an immediate payment of $7,930 available to eligible survivors once the claim is approved.
L&I investigation begins
As of late Monday, the incident is linked to 11 confirmed fatalities and eight injuries - some of them serious - according to L&I and a Nippon Paper Group update about the incident issued Saturday.
The company confirmed damage to the involved chemical tank, and said last week that the spill took out several walls at the plant. Other impacts from the incident - including to the local environment and to its overall business are still being assessed.
According to the L&I website, staff including "specialized investigators who focus on high-hazard chemical industries" have been on site since the day of the incident.
Those specialized investigators helped first responders last week with site safety matters and conducted preliminary work that could be handled without interfering with rescuers' recovery efforts.
With the recovery completed Saturday, L&I says it can begin inspecting the collapsed tank.
Under state law, the investigation must be completed within 180 days. Because of the Nippon Dynawave incident's complexity, L&I anticipates that it will likely take the full 180 days.
What will the investigation entail?
L&I representatives state they intend to gather "relevant documentation" related to the tank, including safety plans and hazard assessments.
Further, inspectors plan to interview witnesses and "conduct a thorough physical inspection of the site."
From there, state investigators will make their determinations of what happened, whether there were any safety rule violations and whether those potential violations should result in penalties.
Final steps
Once the L&I investigation is complete, they will hold a "closing conference" with Nippon leadership and worker representatives. If any violations are imposed, the employer will have a 15-day window after that meeting with which to file an appeal.
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