The B.C. Crown has been asked to look into whether charges should laid in two sawmill explosions that killed four workers and injured 52 others earlier this year.
WorkSafe BC said Thursday it has asked for a review of whether companies and individuals violated the Workers Compensation Act.
Prosecutions under the act could result in maximum fines of $652,000 and jail terms of up to six months, said Roberta Ellis, a spokeswoman for the agency.
Investigation reports and files from the Jan. 20, blast at the Babine Forest Products mill in Burns Lake and the April 23 explosion at Lakeland Mills in Prince George were sent to Crown counsel, who now will decide whether or not to launch prosecutions under the act, she said.
Earlier RCMP investigations ruled out criminal negligence in both explosions.
But Ellis said WorkSafe BC investigations discovered violations. The inspection reports, which could be used in prosecutions, are not being made public, she said.
"If WorkSafe BC had uncovered any evidence in regards to criminal activity, we would have forwarded that to the police," said Ellis. "This is a decision to refer to the Crown regarding violations of the Workers' Compensation Act."
WorkSafe BC issued a background statement Thursday that said similarities were observed at both sawmills. The statement included WorkSafe BC's consistent emphasis in reports released in May, August and October on maintaining vigorous management of wood dust.
The statement said the mills were processing mountain pine beetle-killed wood during cold-weather periods that included low humidity. It said dust from the beetle-killed wood is drier than normal wood and becomes even drier during cold snaps.
"The explosions in both mills originated in spaces at the lower levels where conveyor systems were receiving and moving wood waste," said the background statement.
"They occurred around meal breaks and band saw changes. Friction from gear reducer motor sets has been identified as the likely ignition source in both explosions; wood dust was the fuel," the statement said.
A gear reducer is part of the motor that runs the conveyors belts that carry wood in plants.
WorkSafe BC issued two hazard alerts on Oct. 30. One warning said gear reducers may overheat and become dangerous and the second cautioned that risk of combustible dust increases in winter conditions where there is low humidity.
Greg Stewart, president of Sinclar Group Forest Products, which owns Lakeland Mills, said he's disappointed with WorkSafe's decision.
"It is critical for Lakeland and the industry to do everything we can to ensure that this never happens at another mill," he said. "Lakeland has been cooperating with WorkSafeBC and other regulatory bodies to find out the cause. We are working with our partners in the industry as well. We anticipated WorkSafeBC would release its report into the cause, so it is disappointing to learn that that information is being withheld."
In September, Burns Lake mill owner Hampton Affiliates announced the rebuilding of Lake Babine Forest Products with leading-edge safety measures.
Negotiations with the B.C. government and local First Nations were underway in a bid to secure a timber supply for the mill, said Hampton CEO Steve Zika.
Lakeland Mills officials has not said whether or not it will rebuild, pending a review of the timber supply.
