Sawmill Penalized Nearly $725,000 for Fatal Explosion and Fire

An explosion at a sawmill caused the mill’s northern bag house to erupt in flames. The sawmill itself also caught fire and was destroyed. Two workers died and many were injured. The sawmill was found to be in violation of the Workers Compensation Act and the OHS Regulation. WorkSafeBC imposed an administrative penalty on the sawmill of $97,500 and a claims cost levy for $626,663.28, totaling $724,163.28 [Lakeland Mills Ltd., Govt. News Release, July 29, 2014].