Explosions Trigger Safety Review Of B.C.’s Sawmills

WorkSafeBC has ordered sawmills across the province to immediately investigate sawdust levels and other possible workplace hazards in their facilities, saying the review is urgently needed given explosions at two northern mills in just under three months.

“We are issuing orders immediately to all sawmill employers in British Columbia and directing that they conduct a full hazard identification risk assessment and safety review, and we’re asking them to focus on combustible dust and dust accumulation and potential ignition sources,” WorkSafeBC vice-president Roberta Ellis said.

The order came after a massive explosion and fire at the Lakeland sawmill in Prince George.

In January, a similar explosion and fire at Babine Forest Products killed two men and injured 19 others.

From The Vancouver Sun: vancouversun.com.