Worksafe Expands Scope of Babine FP Investigation
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 @ 12:29 PM
Prince George, B.C. – Worksafe BC is expanding the scope of its investigation in to the explosion and fire that leveled the Babine Forest Products sawmill outside Burns Lake the night of January 20th. Two workers were killed and 19 others injured in the devastation.
In an update on the investigation Worksafe says possible factors contributing to the risk of explosion which are being examined include the type of wood being milled, exhaust and ventilation systems, effects of cold weather (minus 41 temperature in days leading to the explosion) and sawdust accumulations. Possible fuel sources being examined include natural gas, propane and sawdust. Fuel sources not believed involved include hot oil, hydraulic oil, gear oil, oxygen and acetylene.
Worksafe says exhibits were removed from a 50 foot by 50 foot area determined to be the location of the ignition source to check possible ignition sources. There is no evidence at this time to suggest that arson or lightning strikes were involved. Worksafe says it’s impossible to rule out open flame such as welding equipment, tiger torches, metal halide lights or static electric discharges.
Still being examined as possible ignition sources are hot surface such as motors, electric arcs from motors and switches and several other electrical components.
Worksafe continues to review evidence obtained through witness interviews, scene photographs, maintenance and cleaning records and relevant Worksafe documents on the history of the Babine mill.
Comments
I dont know if there is any possibility of a link, but there was a pretty good display of Northern Lights the night of the Lakeland explosion.
Although nothing happened during the huge on solar storm back in March, so it seems highly unlikely as a cause for either of these tragedies. But the story does say that power grids can be affected…
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2012/03/07/science-solar-storm.html
Any type of spark/heat source in the right conditions can cause a fire and or explosion. Static, lighter from someone sneaking a smoke, welding torch, welding rod, electric motor starter in new condition or worn (worn being worse), electric tools that have brushes and any electrical equipment fault from photoeyes to lightbulbs.
In the end if the dust/fuel wasn’t present any of the above can happen for years without incident. The cheapest approach is eliminate the fuel. The rest can be dealt with at a huge cost to industry (explosion proof equipment and installation practices).
In the end will industry be able to afford the recommendations.
A proper safety management plan.
1. Eliminate the hazard. If not possible go to step 2.
2. Control the hazard. If not possible go to step 3.
3. Protect the worker.
All 3 cost money that industry isn’t willing to spend.
heard this morning about worksafe’s findings.
fuel was ‘natural gas, propane, or wood dust’.
ignition was ‘a spark perhaps from a panel or machine, heat from a overheated piece of machinery’.
‘was not caused by lightning or arson’
well, that narrows it down!
i cant even think of a smartass comment for this bit of generalized wisdom.
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