Tag Archives: fire

The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) has issued a safety order relating to regulated electrical equipment ordering sawmills to verify that they have valid operating permits in place, that proper maintenance procedures are being carried out, and that incidents are being reported as per existing BCSA directives.

This measure is precautionary and part of the BCSA’s ongoing investigation into the recent explosions and resulting fires at two BC sawmills that resulted in fatalities and serious injuries to workers. This safety order supports a directive order issued last week by WorkSafeBC.

Stephen Hinde, Electrical Safety Manager at the BCSA, issued the safety order as a precautionary measure to be acted upon without delay. “Although the investigations into the two recent fatal incidents are ongoing and the causes of those incidents have not been identified, this safety order is aimed at minimizing the risk of fire or explosion related to regulated electrical equipment being a potential combustion or ignition source in wood processing operations.”

Hinde explained further, “Electrical equipment is used throughout sawmills and during normal operation can create heat and electrical sparks. This could act as an ignition source for a fire or explosion, so it’s important that mills ensure they are following the Safety Standards Act.”

While this safety order is specific to owners and operators of sawmills around electrical equipment, other regulated technologies are also still under investigation at Babine Forest Products, including propane and natural gas. The BCSA is not yet prepared to rule out propane or natural gas as either an ignition or fuel source at Babine while the investigation is ongoing.

The investigation related to the Babine incident is currently in the analysis phase with no predetermined end date. A BCSA team is currently supporting the Lakeland investigation, which is in the information gathering stage. In both the Babine Forest Products and Lakeland Mills investigation, WorkSafe BC has taken the lead on site control and incident investigation.

As well as issuing this safety order, the following precautionary measures have been taken by the BCSA since the explosion at Babine in January:

• Beginning in February, gas safety officers with the BCSA conducted assessments of gas operating permits in sawmills and industrial sites across BC. This action was taken to verify valid permits, and check technical elements of the gas equipment. This review did not identify any systemic concerns.
• In early April, electrical safety officers with the BCSA began to conduct a survey of electrical operating permits at a select group of wood processing plants to assess the safety of regulated electrical equipment and the effectiveness of mandated electrical maintenance programs. It is anticipated this work will be complete in May.

Supplementing the general workplace safety measures ordered by WorkSafeBC, the following items are prescribed in the BCSA safety order (the full and complete text can be found at www.safetyauthority.ca under Industry Alerts.) which applies specifically to regulated electrical equipment:

1. Verify that a valid operating permit is in place.
2. Develop a process to report incidents involving electrical equipment or electrical work.
3. Report any incidents that have occurred since Jan.1, 2010 and that have not been previously reported.
4. Verify that the interior of enclosures of electrical motor control centres, power distribution centres, or similar switchgear are clear and free of known or potential combustible or explosive materials such as wood dust.
5. Verify that electrical cabinet doors and access covers for energized electrical equipment are closed and secured.
6. Verify that ventilation systems for electrical equipment enclosures are clean, working properly and installed in accordance with the equipment manufacturer’s instructions.
7. Submit a completed copy of the attached Safety Order Response Form to the BC Safety Authority no later than July 13, 2012.

The BC Safety Authority keeps people safe by promoting the safe installation and use of technical equipment. The Safety Authority also issues permits and licences, educates, and conducts on-site inspections in high-risk situations.

Source: BC Safety Authority

WorkSafeBC provided an update today on its investigation into the explosion and fire at the Babine Forest Products sawmill in Burns Lake on January 20, 2012.

As part of the investigation, WorkSafeBC is looking at the possible fuel sources in the mill. They have ruled out hot oil, hydraulic oil, gear oil, oxygen, and acetylene, stating there is no evidence to suggest they were the fuel source for the explosion.

They are still investigating natural gas, propane, and sawdust as the possible fuel sources.

Read the Investigation Update from WorkSafeBC.

A second man, who had been flown to Edmonton for specialized care, has passed away as a result of the injuries he suffered in the Lakeland Mills explosion and fire in Prince George, British Columbia. He has been identified as Glenn Francis Roche, 46, of Prince George.

The first man who died has been identified as Alan Little of Prince George, 43, who was a shift supervisor.

The Lakeland Mills mill has been owned by Sinclar Group Forest Products since 1973. There was a fire at the mill in February when some sawdust ignited on a halogen light during maintenance. President of Sinclar Group Forest Products, Greg Stewart, said “There is absolutely no reason why we should link these two incidents.”

Some have been wondering if the drier mountain pine beetle killed timber that is being processed by B.C. mills could be what is causing these disastrous explosions and fires. Stewart said the Lakeland Mill has been processing pine-beetle kill since 2003, without previous mishaps.

Sources:
Second worker dies following B.C. sawmill explosion (The Globe and Mail)
Mill supervisor identified as man killed in fire (The Prince George Citizen)

One employee of the Lakeland Mills sawmill in Prince George, British Columbia has died as a result of the massive explosion and fire that rocked the sawmill last night.

17 others remain hospitalized. 4 have been airlifted – 3 to Vancouver and 1 to Edmonton.

The injuries vary from minor to severe burns.

The explosion was so powerful, windows were blown out in nearby buildings.

“There’s nothing left standing as far as a recognizable physical structure. It was literally just a ball of flame,” said Cameron Stolz, a Prince George city councillor.

News clip from CBC:

Read more:
One worker has died, 17 others injured after explosion destroys Prince George sawmill (with video) – Second B.C. sawmill explosion this year (Vancouver Sun)
1 dead, 24 injured in Prince George sawmill explosion (CBC)

The Lakeland Mills sawmill in Prince George, British Columbia was destroyed by an explosion and subsequent fire last night.

The first explosion occurred around 9:45pm and shook houses up to 2 kilometres away. Within moments a huge fire engulfed the sawmill. A second explosion followed.

50 people were on-shift at the time of the explosion, and 25 of them were working in the sawmill portion of the mill. 23 of these employees have been injured. 7 people are in critical condition, 5 are in serious condition, 11 have minor injuries. A Code Orange was declared to mobilize resources.

After the explosion, 5 people that were working at the time of the explosion were reported missing, but all have been accounted for now.

The firefighters have been able to spare the planer mill, but the sawmill is completely destroyed.

Prince George Fire Rescuee Chief John Lane says it will be about 24 hours before the still-burning sawmill has been brought under control. At that time, Lanes says, “We are hoping to begin to try and determine what the cause of the blaze was.”

Read more:
Five from fire unaccounted for (Prince George Citizen)
Downtown rocked by mill blast (Prince George Citizen)
Explosions, fire hits Prince George sawmill (CBC)
Huge explosion at Lakeland Mills sawmill in Prince George (with photos) (The Vancouver Sun)
Worker describes gruesome scene at B.C. sawmill after massive explosion (Globe and Mail)

A fire destroyed much of the Cedar Creek Sawmill & Tree Farm in North Dumfries Township, Ontario on Sunday.

High winds carried burning debris from the mill building, torching two other nearby wooden buildings and two storage trailers.

No one was injured in the fire, and the cause is not known.

Damage is estimated to be as much as $2 million.

Read more:
Second fire hits North Dumfries (Metroland News Service)

There was a fire this morning at the Decker Lake Forest Products sawmill in Burns Lake, British Columbia.

The fire started in the planer mill. Approximately 50 employees were on site who helped fight the fire before the Burns Lake Fire Department and other emergency crews arrived on scene.

“The fire was contained by the mill employees and due to their quick response and training they were able to prevent the fire from spreading and causing further damage to the mill “stated S/Sgt. Grant MacDonald, Commander of the Burns Lake Detachment.

Read more:
Decker Mill Fire (Opinion 250 News)

The fire at Tolko‘s mill in Kelowna, British Columbia on Saturday has caused an estimated $30,000 damage.

An exact cause of the fire has not been determined.

Platoon Captain Henry Roelofs says there was a lot of sawdust and boilers that could have sparked the blaze.

“We’ve had investigators out there. Our investigator Paul Johnson was on the scene later on. All he was able to determine is it wasn’t electrical in nature. There’s no wiring in the area.”

The restart of the mill is pending an approval from the Ministry of Environment.

Read more:
No cause into Tolko blaze (AM 1150)

There was a fire this morning in the power plant of Tolko‘s sawmill in Kelowna, British Columbia.

The Kelowna Fire Department responded to the fire around 11am. Workers on the site took steps to limit damage until the fire crews arrived.

No one is known to be hurt. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

Read more:
Fire inside Tolko mill (Castanet)

EACOM Timber wants to rebuild its sawmill that was heavily damaged by fire on Monday night in Timmins, Ontario.

The fire was contained to the sawmill. The planer mill and kiln facilities, as well as round wood and lumber inventories, were not damaged.

EACOM plans to resume operations in the planer mill, and kiln next week to process existing rough lumber inventories. Woodlands operations have not been affected.

The Timmins operations employ approximately 500 people in the mill and associated woodlands operations. Approximately 120 mill employees will be affected by the downtime.

EACOM said in a release that it continues to be committed to its operations in Timmins and is undertaking an assessment of the current situation and its options around rebuilding. The sawmill produces approximately 12 million board feet of lumber per month. The immediate impact on the company will be determined, once the situation is fully assessed.

Read more:
Eacom commits to rebuilding razed Timmins saw mill Company cautions there will be some downtime as it assesses damage, but planer was saved (CBC)
EACOM Timber Corporation Confirms Fire Damage at Timmins, Ontario Sawmill (EACOM news release)
Eacom Timber assessing options for rebuilding following fire at Timmins sawmill (Winnipeg Free Press)