WorkSafeBC Directive Order to Sawmill Employers In the past 3 months explosions and fires at two sawmills in British Columbia

have resulted in fatalities and serious injuries to workers. This employer is ordered to, without undue delay, at its sawmill and any related facility: undertake a comprehensive risk assessment with respect to hazards created by combustible dusts, which assessment must include a thorough inspection of the employers facility, and develop and implement an effective combustible dust control program based on the risk assessment.

A WorkSafeBC prevention officer will be conducting a follow-up inspection on site no later than May 9, 2012, to evaluate the employers actions taken immediately to fully comply with the order in the Inspection Report. Failure to comply with this order without undue delay will result in further action, including possible sanctions and stop work orders. A WorkSafeBC officer will follow up on this order to evaluate compliance.
The employers attention is drawn to the following requirements in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation: 5.71 Flammable air contaminants (1) If an operation or work process produces a combustible or flammable air contaminant in concentrations that may present a risk of fire or explosion, the employer must provide a separate exhaust ventilation system for the operation or work process. 5.81 Combustible dust If combustible dust collects in a building or structure or on machinery or equipment, it must be safely removed before accumulation of the dust could cause a fire or explosion. 3.5 General requirement Every employer must ensure that regular inspections are made of all workplaces, including buildings, structures, grounds, excavations, tools, equipment, machinery and work methods and practices, at intervals that will prevent the development of unsafe working conditions. A copy of OHS Guidelines G5.81 and G5.71 have been provided to this employer under separate cover.