WPAC hosts workshop on combustible dust

August 1, 2014, Prince George, B.C. – On July 23, 2014, the Wood Pellet Association of Canada
(WPAC) hosted a workshop in Prince George devoted to the issue of combustible
dust. The thirty-two participants
included representatives of all of WPAC’s BC producing members as well as
WorkSafeBC (WSBC). The workshop
objectives were to improve the pellet industry’s collective knowledge about
combustible dust (CD) management, to hear the results of WSBC’s Phase IV dust
inspections, and to learn about WSBC’s new combustible dust policy.

In the morning, participants toured Pinnacle Renewable
Energy’s Meadowbank pellet plant. The
afternoon consisted of presentations and discussions at the University of
Northern BC.

Tim Knoop of Pacific BioEnergy gave a presentation on the
pellet manufacturing process and highlighted key CD risk areas within a pellet
plant and fundamental considerations about the nature of combustible dust.

WSBC’s Bud Phillips reviewed the findings of their Phase IV
CD inspections.  He noted that pellet
plants need to improve their CD management. WSBC will be using a small team of dedicated officers to inspect pellet
plants on a regular basis. The team will
also be involved in consultation related to CD control measurers, program
development and implementation. They
will also be working with and the WSBC Risk Analysis Unit researching new
technologies around systems to reduce CD risk in pellet plants and will seek to
be in consultation with employers around planning the construction of any new pellet
plants to ensure that proper CD control measures/systems are incorporated into
these new plants.

Scott Bax of Pinnacle Renewable Energy spoke about CD risk
assessment with respect to internal systems and external environment. He emphasized that CD management is a top
priority for pellet producers; and advised that producers implement rigorous CD
management plans; he introduced WPAC’s Combustible Dust Committee; he
highlighted the importance of education; and he outlined WPAC’s plan to develop
an effective, pellet specific, combustible dust audit that uses risk to focus
efforts and management results.

WPAC’s Staffan Melin’s presentation described best practices
for controlling CD. He gave
recommendations regarding buildings, feedstock preparation, dryers and
cyclones, hot spot sensing, size reduction, pellet presses, cooling, storage,
and fire fighting.

Rob Moonen of BC Forest Safety Council reviewed the
development of his organization and how it has evolved to meet the forest
industry’s safety needs.

Brian Brown of Free Spirit Ventures wrapped up the workshop
with practical recommendations for managing CD.

Readers can download all of the presentations listed below from
the following link:

www.yousendit.com/download/ZUcxSmIrK3g1aWI1SE1UQw