Comfor Management Services Ltd.'s (CMSL) Sheraton Holdings Ltd. was inspected by WorkSafe B.C. on March 7, 2012 and while no orders were written for sawdust build up, multiple equipment safeguarding deficiencies were reported.
The report, recently released by WorkSafe B.C. was part of the investigation into 36 sawmills in the region following the Babine Forest Products fire and explosion that occurred earlier this year.
The WorkSafe B.C. report on Sheraton Holding Ltd., which re-started its operations in March this year, noted that there was no guarding up to the de-barker, no guarding under the in feed deck, inadequate guarding of the operator shack adjacent to the in feed deck, inadequate guarding on the sides and top of an edger, various unguarded sprockets and chain drives, unguarded chain conveyors and tail spools, no guards or screens were installed around the head rig, swing saw or de-barker to prevent debris from flying around and there were various unguarded belts and pulleys.
WorkSafe B.C. officers also noted inadequate labeling on controls and noted that the location of the swing saw required employees to reach across a roll case and within arms reach of the inadequately guarded swing saw,
Deficiencies were also noted with saws and the chipper, including the chipper not being fitted with a brake.
Quentin Beach, CMSL president said all of the deficiencies have now been corrected.
"There was some guarding issues that we had to deal with and they were all taken care of before we started up the sawmill," he said.
Beach also said Sheraton Holdings Ltd. has had a subsequent visit by WorkSafe B.C. "They were satisfied with the guarding we had rebuilt," he said.
However a follow up report by WorkSafe BC, filed on May 23, 2012, notes that corrective orders were issued to Sheraton Holdings Ltd. last week for deficiencies noted during the inspection.
The report notes that there is still unguarded access to the area around and in front of the swing saw. This is in contravention to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation as each swing saw must be effectively guarded, or have effective means that prevent the operators hands from being placed in the cutting area when the saw is activated.
WorkSafe BC said, “The employer is required to immediately discontinue the use of the swing saw until effective guarding is installed to prevent contact with the swing saw by workers.”
According to the report, adequate safeguarding is not in place at the belt drive on the side of the scragg saw or at the pony edger where there is risk of injury to workers from contact with the machinery.
“The employer must ensure that machinery and equipment is fitted with adequate safeguards. The employer is to, without delay, ensure adequate safeguards are installed at all locations throughout the sawmill that expose workers to the hazards noted.”
Beach said, “The issues with the swing saw and belt drive safeguarding have been corrected since the WorkSafe B.C. report was issued last week.”
Beach also noted that the WorkSafe B.C. report was inaccurate when it was noted that Sheraton Holdings Ltd. had been inoperative since 2005.
“The sawmill was in operation when it was purchased [in 2008] and it has remained in operation until it closed late in 2010,” he added.