Federal Agency Fines Maine Pulp Mill Nearly $800K Following Fatal Gas Exposure
OSHA proposed penalties against Woodland Pulp LLC after two workers died from hydrogen sulfide exposure at a Baileyville facility.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Jul 30, 2026
Federal workplace safety inspectors proposed nearly $800,000 in penalties against a Maine wood pulp manufacturer following a deadly gas release that killed two workers earlier this year.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Woodland Pulp LLC for multiple health and safety violations discovered during investigations into two separate incidents at its Baileyville mill.
On Jan. 27, workers performing a cold-weather shutdown were exposed to lethal concentrations of uncontrolled hydrogen sulfide gas, resulting in two fatalities. OSHA inspectors later investigated a March 7 chemical fire at the same mill that started when 4,400 gallons of hydrogen peroxide mixed with accumulated wood pulp on the ground.
Federal inspectors issued four willful citations for failing to provide proper breathing devices or alarms for hydrogen sulfide gas and allowing excess wood pulp to collect in storage areas. OSHA also issued eight serious citations covering failures in respirator fit-testing, missing chemical labels on pipes and inadequate worker training regarding chemical hazards.
The proposed penalties total $794,456. According to agency records, the Baileyville facility has undergone 13 inspections since 2017, yielding 14 previous citations, including a 2017 incident that sent 14 employees to the hospital following chemical exposure in the same area of the plant.
Woodland Pulp has 15 business days from receiving the citations to pay the fines, request an informal conference with OSHA officials or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.