British Columbia Forest Companies Complete Dust Audit Standard

The companies had promised to conduct the audits after two major dust explosions last year.

Ten major forest companies operating in British Columbia have completed a wood dust audit standard, fulfilling a promise they made in 2012 after two major sawmill explosions that killed a total of four workers, the Vancouver Sun's Gordon Hoekstra reported July 18.

Four workers died in two major dust explosions in 2012 at sawmills in British Columbia, causing WorkSafeBC to order companies to address combustible dust hazards.His report said the companies’ independent audits are expected to begin later this year, and they operate a total of 55 large sawmills. It says the auditors will examine the mills' safety inspection histories and will review any fire or explosion involving dust.

The safety authority WorkSafeBC ordered companies to eliminate combustible dust hazards following the second explosion last year.

Featured

Artificial Intelligence