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WorksafeBC found dust hazards at several B.C. pulp mills

Inspections related to wood dust hazards found nearly 60% of forest products facilities had levels of dust putting them at risk of fire or explosion, according to a Vancouver Sun report based on WorksafeBC records.

Inspections related to wood dust hazards found nearly 60% of forest products facilities had levels of dust putting them at risk of fire or explosion, according to a Vancouver Sun report based on WorksafeBC records.

After explosions and fires at sawmills in the first half of 2012, WorksafeBC performed inspections of sawmills with an emphasis on dust hazards. The scope of inspections expanded over the summer to include pulp mills, plywood plants and other wood product manufacturers.

According to records obtained by the Vancouver Sun, 83 facilities were inspected in this second phase, with 48 of them cited for having hazardous levels of dust.

The provincial workplace safety agency ordered the plants to clean up, and had a high degree of compliance, the story states.

Among the plants ordered to clean up wood dust, says the Vancouver Sun, were Canfor Pulp in Talor, Tembec in Chetwynd, Domtar in Kamloops, Cariboo in Quesnel, Zellstoff Celgar in Castlegar, Howe Sound Pulp & Paper in Port Mellon, and Mackenzie Pulp Mill in Mackenzie.