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WorkSafeBC imposes penalty and claims costs levy against Babine Forest Products Ltd.

WorkSafeBC has issued claims cost levy against Babine Forest Products Ltd.

On January 20, 2012, at approximately 8:07 p.m., there was a fire and explosion at the Babine Forest Products sawmill. A large fireball burst through the roof of the northeast side of the mill; the explosion travelled east to west through the mill’s operating and basement levels and fire spread throughout the premises. Two workers died and many more were injured.

Babine Forest Products has been found to be in violation of the Workers Compensation Act (the “Act”) and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

Information regarding violations is contained in an Inspection Report issued to Babine Forest Products on January 21, 2014. An Order for Administrative Penalty and Claims Cost Levy was issued to Babine Forest Products on April 3, 2014. These documents are available from WorkSafeBC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Office.

Under the authority of Section 196 of the Act an administrative penalty has been imposed against Babine Forest Products Ltd. in the amount of $97,500.00. Under Section 73(1) of the Act, a claims cost levy has been imposed in the amount of $914,139.62 for a total balance due of $1,011,639.62.

The dollar value of a penalty or levy does not and cannot reflect the loss of lives and the pain and suffering of workers and families.

Employers have the right of review and appeal of a penalty and/or a claims cost levy. Others, including a worker, an owner, a supplier, a union, or a member of a deceased worker’s family may also request a review and appeal of an administrative penalty or a claims cost levy. Decisions can be appealed within 90 days to the WorkSafeBC Review Division and thereafter, within 30 days, to the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal.

In order to protect the integrity of the ongoing legal process and the rights of all parties, WorkSafeBC cannot comment on this matter until the process is concluded.

View the WorkSafeBC Incident Investigation Report online.

Look for more in next week's issue of the Lakes District News