MEMO
TO: Robert Walton, CEO
FROM: James Babson, Organization Health and Safety Officer
DATE: 16 September, 2016
SUBJECT: Summary of Work Safe BC’s report on Babine Sawmill explosion
Executive Summary
The explosion at the Babine Forest Products sawmill in Burns Lake on 20 January 2012 was caused by the ignition of wood dust accumulated between the belt and sheaves of the 8R-25 conveyer. Due to confinement by the guard and large presence of wood dust in the air, the fire changed into a deflagration and destroyed sawmill, killing two workers and injuring 20. Investigation by Work Safe BC found the facility deficient in efficient wood dust collection and maintenance systems. Furthermore, it was found that the choice of beetle-killed wood and …show more content…
A sawmill processes green spruce and beetle-killed pine and has a production floor and a basement. At 20:07, during the afternoon shift on 20 January, 2012, an explosion occurred at the sawmill (Work Safe BC, 2012). As a result of the explosion, the mill was completely destroyed. Two workers died and 20 others were severely injured, with most of them sustaining serious burn injuries (Work Safe BC, 2012). The incident was investigated by a Work Safe BC team led by Paul Orr, who presented their findings in an incident investigation report. The investigating team determined that the explosion took place on the east side of the Sawmill and travelled west. The northeast side roof was destroyed by a large fireball that burst through it.
The following sections summarize the findings of the Work Safe BC report, while focusing on the immediate and underlying causes of the incident and the controls that were missing at the sawmill. Steps to reduce the likelihood of a similar incident at the Freshwood Sawmill are recommended for your consideration.
Causes of the …show more content…
Proper ventilation systems could have enabled the management to keep dust levels below dangerous levels.
Recommendations
On the basis of the causes and necessary controls identified in the Work Safe BC report, you might consider the following recommendations to be implemented:
An efficient wood dust collection system should be designed to accommodate the increasing production capacity at the plant. Corresponding increase in power generation capacity should also be made to ensure that the wood dust collection system remains operational uninterruptedly.
A system should be developed to monitor humidity and airborne wood dust levels at the Sawmill. Misting systems should be made operational even during winter and dry months.
Additional maintenance shifts should be created to ensure that the production facility, machines and tools are kept free from dust at all times.
A risk assessment and mitigation program should be introduced under which workers can be trained to detect hazardous conditions and take immediate steps to prevent dangerous conditions from
TO: Robert Walton, CEO
FROM: James Babson, Organization Health and Safety Officer
DATE: 16 September, 2016
SUBJECT: Summary of Work Safe BC’s report on Babine Sawmill explosion
Executive Summary
The explosion at the Babine Forest Products sawmill in Burns Lake on 20 January 2012 was caused by the ignition of wood dust accumulated between the belt and sheaves of the 8R-25 conveyer. Due to confinement by the guard and large presence of wood dust in the air, the fire changed into a deflagration and destroyed sawmill, killing two workers and injuring 20. Investigation by Work Safe BC found the facility deficient in efficient wood dust collection and maintenance systems. Furthermore, it was found that the choice of beetle-killed wood and …show more content…
A sawmill processes green spruce and beetle-killed pine and has a production floor and a basement. At 20:07, during the afternoon shift on 20 January, 2012, an explosion occurred at the sawmill (Work Safe BC, 2012). As a result of the explosion, the mill was completely destroyed. Two workers died and 20 others were severely injured, with most of them sustaining serious burn injuries (Work Safe BC, 2012). The incident was investigated by a Work Safe BC team led by Paul Orr, who presented their findings in an incident investigation report. The investigating team determined that the explosion took place on the east side of the Sawmill and travelled west. The northeast side roof was destroyed by a large fireball that burst through it.
The following sections summarize the findings of the Work Safe BC report, while focusing on the immediate and underlying causes of the incident and the controls that were missing at the sawmill. Steps to reduce the likelihood of a similar incident at the Freshwood Sawmill are recommended for your consideration.
Causes of the …show more content…
Proper ventilation systems could have enabled the management to keep dust levels below dangerous levels.
Recommendations
On the basis of the causes and necessary controls identified in the Work Safe BC report, you might consider the following recommendations to be implemented:
An efficient wood dust collection system should be designed to accommodate the increasing production capacity at the plant. Corresponding increase in power generation capacity should also be made to ensure that the wood dust collection system remains operational uninterruptedly.
A system should be developed to monitor humidity and airborne wood dust levels at the Sawmill. Misting systems should be made operational even during winter and dry months.
Additional maintenance shifts should be created to ensure that the production facility, machines and tools are kept free from dust at all times.
A risk assessment and mitigation program should be introduced under which workers can be trained to detect hazardous conditions and take immediate steps to prevent dangerous conditions from