In today’s episode of the Dust Safety Science podcast, we’re providing another incident update on a 2021 lumber mill explosion in Beauceville, Quebec.
These incident updates are concise episodes that showcase our team’s advanced research efforts for the incident database. Our objective is to support the Road to Zero mission, which aims to achieve zero fatalities worldwide from combustible dust explosions by 2038. The incident database plays a crucial role in tracking our progress over time, serving as a reliable metric and providing a comprehensive overview of global dust explosion occurrences. This collective knowledge allows us, as a community, to identify significant issues, recognize emerging trends, and determine the necessary steps for advancing together.
As part of our commitment to the incident database, we conduct thorough incident research, leveraging various methods such as Freedom of Information Act requests, communication with fire departments, and engagement with government organizations. By actively gathering real-time information on explosion incidents, we strive to obtain as much data as possible for analysis and immediate response.
Recency Bias- a Very Real Danger
The recency bias is a phenomenon that presents a real danger. When reviewing a highly detailed incident report from 15 years ago, there is a tendency to assume that it no longer applies to the present day. We often assume that those practices belonged to a previous generation of workers who might say, “That’s how it used to be done. Dust explosions won’t happen here.”
The truth is that this mindset has persisted for over a century. For instance, the United States implemented its initial sugar dust regulation in 1922, which included preventive measures that could have prevented the Imperial Sugar Refinery Explosion over 100 years later. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid disregarding what we have already learned and focusing on generating new information. Our objective with incident reporting, the database, and enhanced incident research is to gain a deeper understanding of the current situation and discern the emerging trends.
An Explosion That Destroyed a Community
This episode serves two primary purposes regarding the incident at the lumber mill in Beauceville, Quebec. Firstly, it aims to provide an update on the situation. Unfortunately, there has been limited public information available since this incident occurred. Although it is currently categorized as a dust explosion in the incident database, we have yet to confirm whether it was indeed a dust explosion. It has been over two years since the incident, and verification is still pending.
There are also ongoing legal proceedings associated with this incident. These proceedings were scheduled to be released in June 2023, but they have been pushed back until September. In light of this, we have decided to provide an update here to begin understanding the tragic loss of life that occurred in this incident—a horrifying explosion resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries at the site.
This incident has had a profound impact on the community, the workers involved, and the company. It is an immensely tragic occurrence that necessitates thorough understanding, extracting valuable lessons, and taking preventive measures to avert similar incidents in the future.
Beauceville- a Review
News reports indicated that the company specialized in the drying and transformation of jointed and laminated wood to produce door and window components. An explosion and subsequent fire occurred at approximately 7:30 in the morning of September 20th, 2021, with approximately 70 employees present on-site. The Quebec Major Crimes Investigation Division, known as the Surete, promptly arrived at the scene to initiate investigations.
The impact was severe. The silo responsible for conveying sawdust to the dryer section was at risk of collapsing due to the force of the explosion. The city of Beauceville experienced significant disruption, including a widespread power outage. As a result, the local high school had to be closed, and citizens were urged to conserve water while the fire department and firefighting teams worked tirelessly to contain the fire.
On the day of the incident, it was reported that eight workers had sustained injuries. At least four, possibly five, were in critical condition, and six individuals were admitted to the burn unit for specialized medical care. The gravity of the situation was evident from the significant number of casualties and the urgent need for medical attention.
The following day, tragic news emerged that two workers had lost their lives while two other individuals remained in critical condition. Later that same day, another worker succumbed to their injuries. In total, three workers tragically lost their lives in this devastating explosion incident, while five others sustained injuries, some in critical condition, with significant burns. The magnitude of this tragedy cannot be understated.
This was the extent of the available information at that time, leaving many questions unanswered. It was not until two months later, on September 23rd, that the company released their first statement. They expressed their commitment to supporting the affected families both financially and psychologically. However, due to the ongoing investigation, they were unable to provide further details. Despite our extensive efforts, it took considerable time to gather any substantial information regarding whether the incident was a dust explosion or caused by other factors.
On November 19th, 2021, the company announced that they had successfully rebuilt the facility. It took eight months to complete the reconstruction. Unfortunately, on May 21st, 2022, a fire broke out at this new temporary plant. The fire originated when a piece of wood became stuck in a moulder and ignited. Fortunately, the fire was contained and eventually extinguished on its own. This incident was relatively minor in comparison to the initial explosion.
On May 24th, a year and eight months after the explosion, critical information regarding charges related to the incident was finally made public. The company was facing a total of eight charges, with the first court appearance scheduled for June 9th, 2023. The Director of Criminal & Penal Prosecutions was pursuing the company for criminal negligence under Section 217.1 of the Criminal Code.
It is important to note that Section 217.1 of the Criminal Code imposes a responsibility on all organizations and individuals overseeing work in Canada to ensure the health and safety of others. This case represents one of the rare instances in Quebec where the Westray Law (an amendment to the Criminal Code implemented in 2004 after the tragic incident at the Westray Mine in Nova Scotia)is being utilized.
While investigating the progress of the incident investigation in Beauceville, we came across an interview with Olivier Marchand. Mr. Marchand, a 36-year-old roofer, suffered critical injuries in the explosion and spent a significant period in the burn unit, including three months in a coma. As a result, he woke up weighing 60 pounds less and bearing severe burns. He shared a harrowing account of falling two stories amidst the flames shortly after the explosion.
An Update on the Criminal Case
We want to give the current status of the criminal case. There are three charges of criminal criminal negligence causing death and five charges of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, presumably for the three workers that died and the five that were injured. All are being implemented under the Westray Law, which amended the Criminal Code to state that everyone who undertakes or has the authority to direct how another person does work or performs a task is under a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm to that person or any other person arising from the work or task.
This amendment also brought about a redefinition of the term “organization,” expanding its scope to encompass a wider range of entities potentially accountable for their actions. Additionally, the amendment introduced supplementary sections within the Criminal Code that establish criminal liability for negligence and other offenses, applying to both organizations and their representatives.
At present, it remains unclear whether the eight charges, three related to death and five pertaining to bodily harm, are currently being pressed against the company or against individual employees and owners associated with the company. Unfortunately, without access to the necessary documents, we have not been able to examine this matter in detail.
Conclusion
The incident in Beauceville serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating consequences of dust explosions. It underscores the importance of ongoing research and incident reporting in our collective pursuit of safety. By leveraging historical knowledge and striving for accountability, we can build a safer future for all those working in hazardous environments.
If you have questions about the contents of this or any other podcast episode, you can go to our ‘Questions from the Community’ page and submit a text message or video recording. We will then bring someone on to answer these questions in a future episode.
Resources mentioned
Dust Safety Science
Combustible Dust Incident Database
Dust Safety Science Podcast
Questions from the Community
Dust Safety Academy
Dust Safety Professionals
Dust Safety Share
Incidents
Explosion at Sawmill in Quebec Kills Three Workers and Injures Eight
Resources
Interview with Olivier Marchand
Westray Law
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