Two workers were killed, others injured in explosion and fire
WorkSafeBC has concluded the first phase of its investigation into an explosion and fire that killed two workers and injured many others at Babine Forest Products Mill site in Burns Lake on Jan. 20, 2012.
“The first phase of the investigation has concluded and we will be vacating and releasing the site to the employer on Thursday, April 19,” said Jeff Dolan, director of investigations for WorkSafeBC. “Our focus now will be on the testing and analysis of the evidence we gathered over the past 12 weeks.”
WorkSafeBC has had an investigative team at the mill since the incident and examined the complex and hazardous site for ignition and fuel sources that could have caused the explosion, the organization said.
In recent weeks, cranes and other heavy equipment were brought in to selectively remove debris and allow access to areas of interest within the site. At this time, all pertinent areas of interest have been fully examined and all evidence has been removed for further detailed analysis and lab testing to identify the causal and underlying factors that led to the explosion, said WorkSafeBC.
WorkSafeBC has been the lead agency of jurisdiction since Jan. 26 at this site. The B.C. Safety Authority has been working in cooperation with WorkSafeBC to examine all areas under its jurisdiction. WorkSafeBC investigators have conducted more than 80 witness interviews of those who were involved in the incident including mill employees, the employer, and anyone else with pertinent information about the explosion. There have been as many as 20 WorkSafeBC personnel working on the investigation since it was initiated, the organization said.
“The next phase of the investigation will be equally complex and is expected to take many more months to conclude,” WorkSafeBC said. “The families of the deceased, along with the employer, have been informed of WorkSafeBC’s departure from the site and the status of the investigation.”
