The owners of the Babine Forest Products sawmill in Burns Lake, BC, were hit with a fine of nearly $1 million by WorkSafeBC for the fatal explosion at the mill in 2012.
The fine comes after the Criminal Justice Branch announced it wasn’t proceeding with criminal charges against the owners because of mistakes made by WorkSafeBC during their investigation.
Two workers were killed and 19 others injured when the Burns Lake mill exploded in January 2012. The explosion was blamed on dangerous levels of wood dust from milling trees that had been killed by mountain pine beetles.
On Thursday, WorkSafeBC announced an administrative penalty has been imposed against Babine Forest Products Ltd. for $97,500.00, along with a claims cost levy of $914,139.62 for a total fine of $1,011,639.62.
In a statement issued Thursday, a spokesperson for Babine Forest Products said the company regretted the accident, but was disappointed with the fine and intended to appeal.
