New ministerial order on wood dust

Wood dust has been a concern in BC following two devastating incidents involving mill fires dating back to 2012. Earlier this year, the BC government put the requirements from safety orders issued in 2012/2013 into regulation.  Technical Safety BC reports a 87% pass rate on wood processing facility assessments completed in 2017.

Highlights of the additions to the Electrical Safety Regulation include:

• updated and expanded definitions for dust, combustible dust hazard location and wood processing facility
• a definition and breakdown of who are considered qualified professionals
• requirements of a combustible dust hazard location management plan
• duties of facility owners

Read more about ministerial order 2017 M 078.

Find historical information about the incidents and our efforts.