babine inspection report 01/21

6951 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BCMailing Address: PO Box 5350, Vancouver BC, V6B 5L5Telephone 604 276-3100 Toll Free 1-888-621-7233 Fax 604 276-3247

INSPECTION REPORTWorker and Employer Services Division

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The Workers Compensation Act requires that the employer must post a copy of this report in a conspicuous place at or near the workplace inspectedfor at least seven days, or until compliance has been achieved, whichever is the longer period. A copy of this report must also be given to the jointcommittee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable.

Inspection Report #2014128680252

Employer Name Jobsite Inspected Scope of Inspection

BABINE FOREST PRODUCTS LIMITED BABINE FOREST PRODUCTS LIMITEDC/O KAREN GLANVILLE CONFIDENTIAPO BOX 4000BURNS LAKE, BC

incident investigation

Date of Initiating Inspection Date of This Inspection Delivery Date of This Report Delivery Method

Jan 21, 2014 Jan 21, 2014 Jan 21, 2014

THERE ARE ZERO (0) ORDERS OUTSTANDING

NO ACTION REQUIRED

Summary of OrdersSee “Orders – Full Details” section of this Inspection Report for orders cited

Order No.1 þ Status: Closed Cited: OHS3.5



Order No.4 þ Status: Closed Cited: WCA115(1)

Order No.5 þ Status: Closed Cited: WCA115(2)(a)

ORDER STATUS LEGEND

Order Status Description

Outstanding Order Outstanding - Action Required to Achieve Compliance

Complied Compliance Achieved - No Further Action Required

Closed Order Could Not be Followed Up – No Further Action Required

Rescinded Order has been cancelled – No Further Action Required



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INSPECTION NOTES

Comments issued on: Feb 06, 2014Based upon the violation(s) cited in this inspection report (and anyprevious relevant violations) WorkSafeBC has determined that there aregrounds for imposing an administrative penalty. If WorkSafeBC decides toimpose a penalty, or take other enforcement action, further informationwill be provided to you.Issued on: 2014/01/21

Synopsis

During the afternoon shift on January 20, 2012, there was an explosion atthe Babine Forest Products Limited sawmill at approximately 20:07. A largefireball burst through the roof at the northeast side of the mill, whilethe explosion travelled east to west through the operating and basementlevels. Fire spread throughout the premises, completely destroying themill. Two workers were killed in the explosion and 20 others were injured.

WorkSafeBC conducted an investigation into this incident and issuedIncident Investigation Report (IIR) #2012161980018. To request a copy ofthe IIR, please contact the WorkSafeBC Freedom of Information andProtection of Privacy office at 604-279-8171. The IIR's conclusions arereproduced below.

Findings as to causes

All the components for a wood dust explosion existed. Wood dust – the fuel– was dispersed in air. Near the ignition source was a containment zone.Oxygen was present in the air.

Concentration of dispersed wood dust in the air

The wood dust that was dispersed in the air within the Babine sawmill wasof sufficient concentration to explode.

Friction within the motor-reducer V-belt guard provided ignition source

Wood dust from beneath the 8R-25 conveyor migrated into the confined areawithin the motor-reducer V-belt guard. The dust was compacted andsubjected to near-constant friction from the rotating belts and sheaves.This dust caught fire and ignited the airborne wood dust that wasdispersed in the area. An explosion and subsequent fire travelled throughthe mill, disturbing and dispersing the accumulated wood dusts and settingoff secondary deflagrating explosions.

Findings as to underlying factors

Ineffective wood dust control measures

The dust collection system was ineffective in controlling airborne dustsand the accumulation of other fine dusts in the sawmill. The collectionducting serviced only the bandsaw and debarker areas and not the east side



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of the sawmill where the trim-saws and eliminators were or the other areaswhere these dusts were being produced. Lumber-processing equipmentgenerates large amounts of wood dust by abrasive or cutting actions. It isimportant to provide an effective dust collection system to capture thedust at the point of release and transport the material through ductinginto collection equipment.

The mill produced large volumes of wood waste that was not adequatelyremoved from the mill during production shifts. This provided abundantfuels for the explosion and subsequent fires.

Ineffective inspection and maintenance system

The application of a nearly solid guard at the 8R-25 motor-reducerassembly's location required increased inspection and maintenance toensure that the containment that it presented was adequately monitored andcontrolled. This was not being done.

Conditions of the wood and weather

The cold weather conditions resulted in a very dry environment with lowhumidity. This condition was compounded by the very dry beetle-killedwood. The dusts produced were drier and finer and they migrated throughoutthe mill. These dusts were mixed with green wood dusts as green wood wasbeing processed at the time. Many of the sawmill workers agreed that thedust from processing the beetle-killed pine was finer and more noticeable.The dry humidity, environment and dust conditions contributed to thisincident.

Waste conveyor configurations increased airborne wood dust

The waste conveyors in the basement level did not adequately capture thefine dust generated during lumber processing. These conveyors were open tothe operating floor above and there were large open areas along theconveyor side-walls. Wood waste was dropped from one conveyor to another,accompanied by vibration in some cases. The conveyors were not equippedwith an effective dust collection system. Fine wood dust stirred up bythe constant action of the conveyors was free to disperse into the air.Babine installed dust collection ducting for some of the conveyors but notfor others. Even where such ducting was installed, the fine dust was noteffectively captured. This fine dust should have been removed independentof the waste conveyor system.

The volume of the coarser wood dust and debris exceeded the capacity ofthe conveyor system.

Inadequate supervision of clean-up and maintenance staff

The accumulations of wood waste before the explosion and the poorcondition of some of the electrical equipment that was inspected after theincident indicate that supervisors were not effectively or adequatelymonitoring the work that was being done.



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(WCA 183) If an officer makes a written report to an employer relating toan inspection, whether or not the report includes an order, the employermust promptly: (a) post the report at the workplace to which it relates,and (b) give a copy of the report to the joint committee or worker healthand safety representative, as applicable.

A review of the order(s) in this inspection report has determined thatfurther enforcement action may be appropriate. Further notification willbe provided on an update of this inspection report.



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ORDERS

An employer who fails to comply with Part 3 of the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health & SafetyRegulation, or WorkSafeBC orders may be subject to monetary or other sanctions as prescribed by the WorkersCompensation Act.



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Orders - Full Details


The employer failed to ensure that regular inspections were made of allworkplaces, including buildings, structures, grounds, tools, equipment,machinery and work methods and practices, at intervals that would preventthe development of unsafe working conditions.

Following the January 20, 2012 explosion and fire, the sawmill wasobserved to have significant accumulations of wood dust and waste invarious protected areas within the sawmill structure, outside surroundingareas and outside structures.

The guard installed on the 8R-25 drive motor assembly was found to containburnt wood dust and the area immediately behind this assembly containedsignificant accumulations of wood dust. This cover was bolted down anddesigned in such a way that it was difficult to view the condition of theinside of the cover. This should have resulted in modification orscheduled inspections. The areas south of the 8R-23 conveyor alsocontained significant accumulations of wood waste and dust.

Large accumulations of dust and waste were also apparent on the outsidestorage buildings and blow-pipe building and presented a hazard to workersneeding to access these areas.

Electrical components and motors throughout the sawmill and planer millwere found layered with excessive accumulations of wood dust. This createdan overheating hazard and risk of fire.

Various electrical enclosures were found with protective covers removed.These exposed workers to the hazards of contact with electrical conductorsand fire.

The significant accumulations of wood dust and wood waste, as well as theunprotected electrical connections, created unsafe working conditionswhich should have been identified, corrected, and prevented throughregular and effective inspections.

This is in contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety RegulationSection 3.5.

Every employer must ensure that regular inspections are made of allworkplaces, including buildings, structures, grounds, excavations, tools,equipment, machinery and work methods and practices, at intervals thatwill prevent the development of unsafe working conditions.



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The employer failed to ensure that waste materials were not allowed toaccumulate so as to constitute a hazard.

In many areas throughout the sawmill, wood dust and waste had accumulatedto hazardous levels. On some outside structures, walkways and stairs werechoked with dust and waste accumulations. Within the sawmill, some areason and around electrical and moving equipment had significantaccumulations of wood waste. These accumulations created a hazard toworkers.


Refuse, spills and waste material must not be allowed to accumulate so asto constitute a hazard.


The employer failed to ensure that combustible dust was removed before itcould cause a fire or explosion.

Significant accumulations of wood dust were observed throughout thesawmill and outside areas following the explosion. Further, workersprovided statements to investigators describing the excessive dustconditions that existed pre-incident. As a result of these accumulations,the explosion and fire occurred.


If combustible dust collects in a building or structure or on machinery orequipment, it must be safely removed before accumulation of the dust couldcause a fire or explosion.



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Order No.4 þ Status: Closed Cited: WCA115(1)

The employer failed to ensure the health and safety of all workers presentat the workplace at which this employer's work is being carried out.

Significant accumulations of dust and waste resulted in the explosion,destruction of the mill, deaths of two workers, and injury to 20 others.Some of the workers on site the date of the incident were contractors.

This is in contravention of the Workers Compensation Act Section 115 (1).

Every employer must ensure the health and safety of:(i) all workers working for that employer, and(ii) any other workers present at a workplace at which that employer'swork is being carried out, and

(b) comply with this Part, the regulations and any applicable orders.



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Order No.5 þ Status: Closed Cited: WCA115(2)(a)

The employer failed to remedy workplace conditions that were hazardous tothe health or safety of the employer's workers.

The employer knew or ought to have known from previous fires at thesawmill that accumulated wood dust was hazardous. For example, onFebruary 23, 2011, a dust explosion and significant fire occurred at theBabine sawmill when an operator attempted to start the bandsaw. Aninvestigation by the British Columbia Safety Authority (BCSA) revealedthat beetle-killed wood dust in an MCC panel had been ignited by hot gasesfrom a fuse. Accumulated sawdust was noted in and on equipment in thevicinity of the switch. According to the BCSA's report, the sawdustappeared to be unusually dry due to the wood source (beetle-killed wood)and the preceding cold weather conditions, and ignition of the sawdust wasexplosive and resulted in other fires. The employer's parent company,Hampton Affiliates, also investigated. The Hampton report concluded that:“This mill has a tremendous amount of dry wood fibre dust, resulting in avery large fuel load.”

The significant wood dust and waste accumulations observed in and aroundthe sawmill after the January 20, 2012 explosion and fire and thestatements from workers as to the dusty conditions within the sawmillindicate that the employer did not remedy these hazardous conditions. Theincident was fuelled by this wood dust and resulted in two fatalities and20 injuries. The hazard of uncovered electrical enclosures was also notremedied.

This is in contravention of the Workers Compensation Act Section 115(2)(a).

An employer must remedy any workplace conditions that are hazardous to thehealth or safety of the employer's workers.



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Employer # Mailing Address Classification Unit # Operating Location

328321 C/O KAREN GLANVILLECONFIDENTIAL SECRETARYPO BOX 4000BURNS LAKE BC V0J1E0

714022 001

Lab SamplesTaken

Direct Readings Results Presented Sampling Inspection(s)

N N N

Workers onsite duringInspection

Notice of ProjectNumber

11

Inspection Report Delivered To Employer Representative PresentDuring Inspection

Worker Representative PresentDuring Inspection

Labour Organization & Local

Peter Marshall Peter Marshall N/a United Steel Workers Local 1-424

WorkSafeBC Officer ConductingInspection

Paul Orr

*Inspection Time *Travel Time

1.00 hrs 0.00 hrs

*The time recorded above reflects the cumulative inspection time and travel time associated to the inspection activity cycle.Additional time may be added for subsequent activity.

Right to a Review of Orders

Any employer, worker, owner, supplier, union, or a member of a deceased worker's family directlyaffected may, within 90 calendar days of the delivery date of this report, in writing, request theReview Division of WorkSafeBC to conduct a review of an order, or the non-issuance of an order, inthis report by contacting the Review Division. Employers requiring assistance may contact theEmployers' Advisers at 1-800-925-2233. Workers may contact the Workers' Advisers at1-800-663-4261.

babine inspection report 01/21

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