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WorkSafeBC has expanded an order to clean up potentially hazardous wood dust to include panel and wood pellet plants. The order released Thursday also includes pulp and paper mills.

In April, the workplace safety agency ordered the cleanup of sawmills after two deadly explosions in northern B.C. earlier this year killed four workers and injured dozens.

“Wood processing and paper product operations have been selected because of their high risk of combustible dust explosion due to large amounts of dust produced or handled in these facilities,” Betty Pirs, vice-president of prevention services, said in a news release. “Like all WorkSafeBC inspections, orders will be issued to employers based on violations observed during the inspections.”

WorkSafeBC plans to have the first round of inspections of the 280 plants covered by the expanded order complete by late August. The inspections will focus on dust cleanup, ventilation and dust control issues.

From The Vancouver Sun: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Fire+destroys+Waldun+Forest+Products+Mill+Maple+Ridge/7147098/story.html