WorkSafeBC has levied fines totaling $151,680.49 against Brink Forest Products Ltd.
Of that amount, $137,546.93 was for hazardous accumulations of sawdust in the Prince George lumber manufacturer's chipper room, an enclosed room inside a production building, according to an online posting at the WorkSafeBC website.
The potentially combustible material was found on almost all horizontal surfaces and fixtures and was in direct contact with potential ignition sources, including on electric motors, electrical junction boxes, and a rotating chipper disc.
It was enough to prompt WorkSafeBC officers to issue a stop work order and have the dust cleaned out. As many as 20 workers were exposed to the possibility of an explosion.
Brink was also fined $14,133.56 after inspectors found violations to safety regulations:
- A shaker drive belt assembly and make-up station feed rolls lacked safeguarding;
- Workers exposed to mobile equipment were not wearing high-visibility apparel;
- Hazardous accumulations of combustible dust were found on and around a motor in the mill.
In September 2014, Brink was fined $68,773.47, also for high accumulations of sawdust.
Brink is appealing the most-recent fines, which were levied in mid December.
