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 bycombustible 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 things like, 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.