Two Workers Die After Gas Exposure at Maine Pulp Mill

Woodland Pulp mill in Baileyville faces investigations after fatal hydrogen sulfide leak

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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A second worker has died following a chemical release at the Woodland Pulp mill in Baileyville, Maine last month. The workers were exposed to hydrogen sulfide while in the facility's bleach plant, which remains closed as federal agencies investigate the incident that also injured eight other employees.

Why it matters

Workplace safety and chemical handling protocols at industrial facilities are under scrutiny after this tragic incident, which resulted in two fatalities and highlights the potential dangers workers can face in certain industries.

The details

According to mill officials, the workers were exposed to hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic gas, after what may have involved the mixing of concentrated sulfuric acid with sulfurous compounds in an enclosed process sewer. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board have both opened investigations into the incident.

  • The incident occurred on January 27, 2026.
  • OSHA officials arrived at the mill the day after the incident.
  • The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board opened its own review on February 9, 2026.

The players

Woodland Pulp mill

An industrial pulp and paper mill located in Baileyville, Maine.

Kasie Malcolm

A 21-year-old University of Maine junior who was interning at the Woodland Pulp mill and died the morning after the chemical exposure incident.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

A federal agency that investigates workplace safety incidents and enforces regulations.

U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board

An independent federal agency that investigates chemical incidents and makes safety recommendations.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic incident at the Woodland Pulp mill highlights the critical importance of robust workplace safety protocols, especially when handling dangerous chemicals, to protect workers' lives. It also underscores the need for thorough investigations to determine the root causes and prevent similar accidents in the future.