Maine Pulp Mill Fined More Than $700K for Hazardous Chemical Exposures

OSHA has proposed $794,456 in penalties to Woodland Pulp LLC for two incidents in which workers were exposed to toxic chemicals at the employer’s facility in Baileyville, Maine. One incident was the Jan. 27, 2026, hydrogen sulfide release that caused the deaths of two workers. The other was a chemical fire that occurred on March 7 after 4,400 gallons of 50 percent hydrogen peroxide combined with accumulated wood chips on the ground. Woodland Pulp has received four willful citations for exposing workers to hydrogen sulfide gas without alarms and breathing devices, as well as for allowing wood pulp to build up in storage areas. OSHA also issued eight serious citations for the employer’s neglect to train workers on hydrogen peroxide risks, conduct medical evaluations and respirator fit tests, label chlorine and acid lines, and control risks for hydrogen sulfide exposure. 

The cause of the Jan. 27 release is under investigation by the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB). According to an update issued by CSB in July, hydrogen sulfide accumulated in the acid sewer pipe during a shutdown of mill operations. The scrubber fan that would have removed the hydrogen sulfide during normal operations had been turned off, and the gas began to leak into a building known as the “Kraft Mill.” A 20-year-old chemical engineering co-op student and a 26-year-old chemical engineer were found collapsed on the second floor of the Kraft Mill, after efforts by other mill employees caused the hydrogen sulfide to dissipate. The co-op student died the following day. The engineer passed away on Feb. 16. 

CSB has determined the Kraft Mill lacked ventilation, a system for tracking employees’ whereabouts during the shutdown, and stationary hydrogen sulfide detectors in the area where the release occurred. The employer also did not issue or require workers to wear personal hydrogen sulfide monitors. CSB is still evaluating the mill’s hydrogen sulfide detection, alarms, and response; personnel access to the Kraft Mill; and site safety practices. The agency’s complete findings and recommendations will be published later in a final report. 

OSHA’s news release provides more information about employer citations and penalties.