Safety Authority issues sawmill order

BC Safety Authority Issues Safety Order Related to Electrical Equipment Located in Sawmills

The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) today issued a safety order relating to regulated electrical equipment ordering sawmills to verify that they have valid operating permits in place, that proper maintenance procedures are being carried out, and that incidents are being reported as per existing BCSA directives.

This measure is precautionary and part of the BCSA's ongoing investigation into the recent explosions and resulting fires at two BC sawmills that resulted in fatalities and serious injuries to workers. This safety order supports a directive order issued last week by WorkSafeBC.

Stephen Hinde, Electrical Safety Manager at the BCSA, issued the safety order as a precautionary measure to be acted upon without delay. "Although the investigations into the two recent fatal incidents are ongoing and the causes of those incidents have not been identified, this safety order is aimed at minimizing the risk of fire or explosion related to regulated electrical equipment being a potential combustion or ignition source in wood processing operations."

Hinde explained further, "Electrical equipment is used throughout sawmills and during normal operation can create heat and electrical sparks. This could act as an ignition source for a fire or explosion, so it's important that mills ensure they are following the Safety Standards Act."

While this safety order is specific to owners and operators of sawmills around electrical equipment, other regulated technologies are also still under investigation at Babine Forest Products, including propane and natural gas. The BCSA is not yet prepared to rule out propane or natural gas as either an ignition or fuel source at Babine while the investigation is ongoing.

The investigation related to the Babine incident is currently in the analysis phase with no predetermined end date. A BCSA team is currently supporting the Lakeland investigation, which is in the information gathering stage. In both the Babine Forest Products and Lakeland Mills investigation, WorkSafe BC has taken the lead on site control and incident investigation.

As well as issuing this safety order, the following precautionary measures have been taken by the BCSA since the explosion at Babine in January:

-- Beginning in February, gas safety officers with the BCSA conducted

assessments of gas operating permits in sawmills and industrial sites

across BC. This action was taken to verify valid permits, and check

technical elements of the gas equipment. This review did not identify

any systemic concerns.

-- In early April, electrical safety officers with the BCSA began to

conduct a survey of electrical operating permits at a select group of

wood processing plants to assess the safety of regulated electrical

equipment and the effectiveness of mandated electrical maintenance

programs. It is anticipated this work will be complete in May.

Supplementing the general workplace safety measures ordered by WorkSafeBC, the following items are prescribed in the BCSA safety order (the full and complete text can be found at www.safetyauthority.ca under Industry Alerts.) which applies specifically to regulated electrical equipment:

1. Verify that a valid operating permit is in place.

2. Develop a process to report incidents involving electrical equipment or

electrical work.

3. Report any incidents that have occurred since Jan.1, 2010 and that have

not been previously reported.

4. Verify that the interior of enclosures of electrical motor control

centres, power distribution centres, or similar switchgear are clear and

free of known or potential combustible or explosive materials such as

wood dust.

5. Verify that electrical cabinet doors and access covers for energized

electrical equipment are closed and secured.

6. Verify that ventilation systems for electrical equipment enclosures are

clean, working properly and installed in accordance with the equipment

manufacturer's instructions.

7. Submit a completed copy of the attached Safety Order Response Form to

the BC Safety Authority no later than July 13, 2012.

The BC Safety Authority keeps people safe by promoting the safe installation and use of technical equipment. The Safety Authority also issues permits and licences, educates, and conducts on-site inspections in high-risk situations.