WorkSafeBC has levied a more-than $724,000 fine against Lakeland Mills for the April 23, 2012 sawmill explosion that killed two and injured nearly two dozen others.
Lakeland Mills Ltd. was found to be in violation of the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, with orders for the administrative penalty worth $97,500 and a claims cost levy of $626,663 issued in a July 29 inspection report.
"The dollar value of a penalty or claims cost levy does not and cannot reflect the loss of lives and the pain and suffering of workers and families," said a WorkSafe press release.
Levying the administrative penalty was put on hold until after Crown Counsel made a decision on whether to pursue charges against the mill owners. The province's Criminal Justice branch announced in April that no charges would be laid in the explosion that killed 43-year-old Alan Little and 46-year-old Glenn Roche.
WorkSafe ordered the owners of the Babine Forest Products mill to pay more than $1 million following the January 20, 2012 explosion in Burns Lake - a $97,500 claims cost levy and a $914,139.62 administrative penalty.
The owners of the Prince George mill have 90 days to appeal the decision.
