Umatilla Chemical Depot 1998

Oct 12, 2017 | by Lisa Schaefer

Painting and Coating a U.S. Army Chemical Weapons Disposal Facility

Bill Newcomb, General Manager at Long Painting Company, remembers the Umatilla Chemical Weapons Depot project well. He and his crew of 15 did all the painting and coatings for the facility, which was essentially a giant incinerator.

“We applied high performance, chemical resistant coatings all along the interior,” Newcomb said. “We also did electrostatic-dissipating floor coating in the main disposal area, which prevents electrostatic electricity from building up.

Rigorous safety training was required in case of a gas leak or explosion. “We had to be prepared and know what to do. With some of those gasses or chemicals, just an eye dropper full could kill 300-400 people.”