Combustible sawdust turned up in unacceptable levels in 48 of 83 wood and forest products plants inspected in British Columbia this summer, says the Vancouver Sun newspapers.
While the government agency WorkSafeBC had been inspecting sawmills and later plywood, pulp and secondary wood products firms, the newspaper's freedom of information request named names and forced more public disclosure by the agency.
Plywood firms (West Fraser and Tolko are just two examples) were ordered to clean up; as well as secondary wood products manufacturers (some examples are C&C Wood, Teal Cedar, and Northern Engineered Wood Products). A complete list is at this link.
Combustible dust explosions racked two British Columbia sawmills earlier this year, killing four and injuring 52 others. This week the government said it would fine the Babine Sawmill - owned by Portland, OR-based Hampton Affiliates, and Lakeland Mills $625,000 each. Attorneys may bring charges against management with possible jail terms of 6 months.
Babine owners Hampton Affiliates announced December 4 it would rebuild and reopen the mill by 2014, regardless of the legal outcomes. Steve Zika, Hampton’s CEO says the new plant will be one-third smaller owing to less low ability will have the ability to cut metric and ALS dimension lumber for a variety of markets
Here are the top wood industry reports from the week>>
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ComDust: What Woodworkers Need to Know
By Jamison Scott | Updated: 11/28/2012 1:22:00 PM
With the increase of combustible dust incidents, OSHA is visiting woodworking facilities with greater frequency, says Air Handling Systems Jamison Scott. Read more
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Marvin Windows' Director Lauded for Industry Contribution
By Karen Koenig | Updated: 11/29/2012 11:18:00 AM
Marvin Windows and Doors' Christine Marvin, director of marketing, has been named a 2012 Wood Industry Market Leader by Wood & Wood Products magazine. Read more
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Fines, Possible Jail Time in BC ComDust Explosions
By Karen Koenig | Updated: 12/04/2012 1:39:00 PM
Babine Forest Products and Lakeland Mills could each face fines of $652,000 if found guilty of violating the Workers Compensation Act. Combustible dust explosions racked the sawmills earlier this year, killing four, injuring 52. Read more
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States Industries Acquires Drawer Box Specialties
Posted by Bill Esler | Updated: 12/04/2012 4:12:00 PM
States Industries, the major manufacturer of hardwood plywood and specialty panel products, has acquired wood component maker Drawer Box Specialties, Orange, CA. Read more
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Custom Woodworker Now a Pine Beetle Furniture Star
By Bill Esler | Updated: 12/01/2012 11:46:00 AM
Azure Furniture owner Corbin Clay is a finalist in Ketel One Vodka's Gentleman's Call competition, cited for making beetle-kill pine furnishings trendy, while helping the wood industry and the environment. Read more
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Haworth, Herman Miller & Knoll Win $100M Furniture Contracts
by Karen Koenig | Updated: 11/28/2012 1:02:00 PM
Contract furniture manufacturers Haworth, Herman Miller and Knoll are among the companies awarded contract renewals with U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance. Virco also has a partnership with the agency. Read more
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idX Tests $6.5 Million Consolidation in Dayton
By Bill Esler | Updated: 12/02/2012 1:08:00 PM
idX Corp., the store fixtures and panel manufacturing giant, is considering a $6.5 million effort to relocate operations and expand in Dayton, OH. It recently expanded in Mexico.
Read more
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Laminate Works Expands to Houston Market
Posted by Bill Esler | Updated: 12/02/2012 12:00:00 PM
Laminate Works panel lamination and component parts maker began operations in Houston, its third location. Greg Alvis is GM. Read more
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By Jo-Ann Kaiser | Updated: 11/29/2012 8:00:00 AM
A tropical hardwood for furniture, casegoods and musical instruments, this “exotic” domestic is full of surprises.
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Wood Industry 2012 Market Leaders
By Karen Koenig | Updated: 11/29/2012 12:01:00 PM
Profiles of movers and shakers at eight forward-thinking wood products companies: John Bassett, Vaughan-Basset Furniture Co.; Eric Smith, Panel Processing Inc.; Bill Barton, California Closets; Bob Timberlake, Bob Timberlake Inc.; Bob Gronlund, Wood-Mode Inc.; Matt Lundahl, Meyer & Lundahl; Edmund 'Bud' Klipa, Steelcase; and Christine Marvin, Marvin Windows and Doors. Read more
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