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B.C. explosion sparks sawmills' inspection

The British Columbia government says all provincial sawmills will be inspected for unsafe levels of dust after two deadly explosions this year, including one on Monday night in Prince George that killed a worker and injured 24 others.

RAW Inspections

12 years ago
Duration 2:54
B.C. Labour Minister Margaret MacDiarmid says all provincial sawmills will be inspected

The British Columbia government says all provincial sawmills will be inspected for unsafe levels of dust after two deadly explosions this year, including one on Monday night in Prince George that killed a worker and injured 24 others.

Labour Minister Margaret MacDiarmid confirmed Tuesday she will be meeting with WorksafeBCand other stakeholders on Wednesdayto develop an action plan.

"We are all concerned first and foremost about workers safety. I know that people who love someone who works in a mill, or who works in a mill today in British Columbia is asking, 'Is this work safe? Am I ok to go and work there?'" she said.

The cause of Monday's explosion has not yet been determined, but earlier this year two workers were killed in a similar explosion in Burns Lake, B.C.

The cause of that explosion has also not yet been determined by investigators who completed theirreview of the site just last week.

But some outside experts have pointed tohigh dust levels and limited ventilation at the Burns Lake mills as a possible cause.