This year was the 10th anniversary of the two B.C. sawmill explosions that killed four people and injured many others. WorkSafeBC’s investigation for both incidents pointed to a combination of the concentration of dispersed wood dust in the air and friction from moving equipment. Ineffective dust control measures and maintenance oversight were found at both...
Category: dust safety week
Post
Stop high-pressure compressed air dust cleaning in your mill
For decades, wood shops and wood manufacturing facilities have been using high-pressure compressed air to blow down dust from elevated surfaces during cleanup. As this practice seems effective as dust is cleaned from a surface, the reality is that the combustible dust has been relocated into harder to reach and more dangerous areas. This is...
Post
Deciphering the dust hazards analysis
There has been a lot of focus and discussion in the past few years around dust hazards analysis (DHAs). The National Fire Protection Association standards for combustible dust safety (NFPA 652, 664) require a DHA to be performed on new and existing facilities where combustible particulate is present. The primary objectives of a DHA are...
Post
Need to vent? Talk to an expert
While many wood processors have complied with the standards outlined in the National Fire Protection Association’s updated version of NFPA 664, others are still navigating the codes on their journey toward compliance. And navigate they must because the standards for conveyors alone are extensive and can be expensive to implement, especially where mitigation devices are...
Post
Don’t wait for an incident to revisit your dust management programs
A decade ago, two people died and 20 were injured in an explosion at the Babine Forest Products facility in Burns Lake, B.C. Just three months later, two more people died and 22 were injured in a similar explosion at Lakeland Mills in Prince George, B.C. The incidents, caused in part when fine sawdust from...
Post
Equipment spotlight: Dust safety in 2022
RembeInnovative technology makes it possible to divert combustible dust explosion shock waves and flames in a controlled manner so the required safety area is reduced, valuable usable area is increased and personnel/equipment are protected from the explosion’s effects. Explosion vents are an economical form of explosion pressure relief but require extensive safety areas that become...
Post
Welcome to Dust Safety Week 2022!
Dust Safety Week 2022 has arrived – our sixth annual spotlight on all things dust safety. For a full five days Canadian Biomass and Canadian Forest Industries are focused on best practices, technical information and solutions for keeping pellet and solid wood product operations safe. We’ve got tons of great content coming at you this...
Post
Dust Safety Week 2022 is approaching!
Canadian Biomass and Canadian Forest Industries are once again highlighting dust safety best practices, technical information and solutions during Dust Safety Week, happening this year from July 11 to 15. Now in its sixth year, Dust Safety Week’s landing page is the year-round hub for pellet plants and solid wood product manufacturers to learn best...