Riverwest Forest Products Ltd. Inspected by WCB
Sawmill Employers Conduct Inspections
A WorkSafeBC Directive Order to Sawmill Employers which stated they are required to undertake a comprehensive risk assessment with respect to hazards created by combustible dusts, was to be completed by May 9, 1012.
On May 9th, 2012, A Worksafe BC Officer visited the Riverwest Forest Products Ltd. site and did a walk-through with Kennedy Forest & Safety Consultants, a third-party safety consultant along with the companies Mill Managers.
WorkSafeBC investigators flagged the issue of dust accumulation at Lakeland Mills in February, shortly after a mill explosion in Burns Lake where public speculation pointed at dust as a possible cause.
As a result of the inspection, Riverwest Forest Products Ltd. will be upgrading their “Combustible Dust Control Program” which looks at potential ignition sources, friction areas, confined areas of dust accumulation, and electrical panels.
Kennedy Forest & Safety Consultants has been working closely with WorkSafeBC Officers and has reviewed with them how employers can reasonably develop and implement an effective combustible dust control program based on the risk assessment. Our company has developed effective risk assessment and inspection forms.
Please contact me to discuss your needs, inspections, and risk assessments and how I can help to mitigate your sawmill’s risk. We have successfully developed numerous sawmill safety programs throughout British Columbia that can effectively protect workers and businesses.