B.C. pulp mill hit with $241,081 fine

An inspection by WorkSafeBC of the mill – located five kilometres west of Premier Lake – found accumulations of dust on multiple horizontal surfaces and fixtures in its chip screen building. Dust was in direct contact with potential ignition sources, including electric motors, light fixtures, and conveyor rollers and bearings.

As a result, WorkSafeBC issued a stop-work order.

According to an incident investigation report from WorkSafeBC, “The firm’s failure to control and remove hazardous accumulations of combustible dust was a repeated and high-risk violation.”