British Columbia’s occupational safety regulator, WorkSafeBC, issued a CAD$150,000 (about $114,000) fine to wood products firm West Fraser Mills this November for accumulations of combustible dust in several buildings at its Quesnel, BC manufacturing site.

An inspection by WorkSafeBC determined that the company failed to remove buildups of dust inside a debarker building and a plywood plant at the Quesnel site, according to a penalty notice posted on the agency’s website. 

“Accumulations of combustible dust were observed in multiple locations, including near potential ignition sources such as lighting, electrical motors, and rotating machinery parts,” WorkSafeBC said.

West Fraser produces lumber, plywood and MDF panels, engineered wood products, pulp and paper, newsprint, wood chips, and other wood products, information on the firm’s website said, and operates facilities in western Canada and the southern United States.

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