Twenty years after the Westray mine explosion, two mills in British Columbia exploded, killing four Steelworkers and injuring dozens more.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the deadly explosions at the Babine Forest Products sawmill near Burns Lake, and at Lakeland Mills in Prince George. The two sawmill explosions were blamed on fine dust ignited by a spark. According to the investigation that followed, the wood dust buildup was a direct result of management ignoring workers’ concerns and a decline in the cleanliness of the mill. Both explosions had an eerie resemblance to the Westray mine explosion caused by coal dust buildup.
To this day, many people still ask how these tragedies happened and how they could have been prevented.
In 2019, the B.C. Ministry of Labour contracted Vancouver lawyer Lisa Helps to review the actions by WorkSafeBC and the provincial government concerning worker safety. Helps released her report later that year, making 11 recommendations
to strengthen worker safety, ensure a criminal lens is applied to workplace fatalities and put workers back at the centre of WorkSafeBC.
It’s been over two years since the Helps Report recommendations. Implementation by the B.C. government is overdue. It is time for WorkSafeBC to get on with the combustible dust regulation review.
The USW has renewed its call for the B.C. government to implement the Helps Report recommendations and create ongoing training for police officers and Crown counsel for workplace criminal investigations.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
KAMLOOPS, B.C. – United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 7619 has issued 72-hour strike notice to Teck’s Highland Valley Copper (HVC) operation near Logan Lake, B.C., following unsuccessful negotiations to reach a fair collective agreement. The notice was served Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m., with the union preparing for potential strike action if an agreement […]
The jobs of thousands of USW members have been plunged into uncertainty due to U.S. tariffs, outsourcing and offshoring. In 2025, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) has supported initiatives that help build union-to-union solidarity, which is critical to ensuring workers have a voice. Over the years, the USW has supported the efforts of the Mexican […]
Scott Lunny, United Steelworkers Director for Western Canada, released the following statement following the Alberta referendum vote: “Albertans have made their voices heard. They want to remain part of a strong, united Canada. Now it’s time to put division behind us and get back to work building a better future for working families. “It’s time […]