BC Mills Under Dust Inspection

by Web Editor | Jan 8, 2014 | Update

WorkSafeBC officers have begun another round of inspections as part of the ongoing combustible dust initiative to focus sawmills and other wood processors on keeping work sites safe.

During the inspections WorkSafeBC officers examine dust accumulation; ventilation and dust collection systems; inspections and preventative maintenance of machinery and equipment with potential points of ignition; as well as ensure that operating locations have a plan to achieve effective and sustainable compliance going forward.

The combustible dust inspections began in late April 2012 following a directive order to all BC. sawmills to conduct a risk assessment for combustible wood dust and implement a combustible dust control program. All operational sawmills inspected in the first phase complied with the directive order. In July 2012, inspections were expanded to include other wood manufacturing operations that could produce combustible dust. In fall 2012, WorkSafeBC officers re-inspected all sawmills to further evaluate industry’s ongoing efforts to manage combustible dust.

The wood dust program began soon after explosions at two BC sawmills killed four in early 2012.

Plum Creek Adds To Timber Base

by Web Editor | Jan 3, 2014 | Update

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc. has signed a $1.1 billion agreement to acquire approximately 501,000 acres of industrial timberlands, associated wind and mineral assets, and an interest in approximately 109,000 acres of high-value rural and development-quality lands from MeadWestvaco Corp.

Specifically, Plum Creek has agreed to acquire 501,000 acres of industrial timberlands in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia for $869 million; an investment in joint ventures consisting of 109,000 acres of high-value rural lands and development-quality lands near Charleston, SC for $152 million; subsurface rights, mineral rights and wind power assets associated with the timberlands for $65 million.

Rick Holley, Plum Creek CEO, comments, “These timberlands have a long history of excellent forest management. The high stocking levels and older age of the timberlands make them particularly attractive. These assets should integrate seamlessly into our existing timberland ownership in the Southeast and add to our presence in key markets.”

The timber harvest from the acquired lands is expected to average nearly 3 million tons annually over the next 10 years, growing Plum Creek’s total annual harvest more than 15% from recent levels.

Knokey Behind Many Plywood Developments

by Web Editor | Oct 25, 2013 | Update

LP, Martin Lead Safety Honors

by Web Editor | Jun 17, 2013 | Update

LP, Nashville, Tenn., and Canfor-LP OSB Ltd. Partnership, Fort St. John, BC, won Safest Company Awards in their respective categories while RoyOMartin, Oakdale, La., earned the Innovation in Safety Award in the 2012 Safety and Health Awards Program sponsored annually by APA for the structural wood panel and engineered wood products industry.

LP earned top honors among companies with four or more mills with a 2012 average Weighted Incident Rate (TIR) of 0.58. The Canfor-LP OSB mill won its award in the category for companies with three or fewer mills. The company posted a perfect 0.00 TIR for 2012.

RoyOMartin’s Oakdale oriented strandboard mill took the innovation prize for the implementation of the “Safety Mentor” program. Developed to guide team members through their first year of employment and/or after a job transfer, the program covers various aspects of the organization to ensure employees do not “fall through the cracks.”  Safety Mentor Team Leaders have a clear understanding of safety training and can verify new hires receive proper training. Team members that have completed the program have proven to have a better understanding of the safety culture at RoyOMartin. Safety Audit participation by new team members has increased by 50% and safety incidents for new team members have decreased by 86%.

A total of 23 facilities representing nine APA member companies—Abitibi – LP Engineered Wood; Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd.; Boise Cascade LLC; Canfor-LP OSB Ltd. Partnership; LP; Norbord; Potlatch Corp.; RoyOMartin; and Weyerhaeuser— earned awards in various competition categories of the 2012 program. Some of the mills were multiple award winners.

APA will present awards to the winning mills this summer, and the winners will be recognized at the Chairman’s dinner at the APA Annual Meeting in November.