WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
PROFILE: All Nations Soccer
COMMUNITY: Art Show results
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23 days... ‘til Relay for Life June 22nd, 2012 “Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back”
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Workplace dust safety practise By Rebecca Billard Black Press
Jack Vandenborn photo
HCS Anniversary
Houston Christian School teachers Marshall Duzan and Wendall Ewald plant a tree in the school yard to commemorate the schools’ 50th Anniversary event last weekend. Looking on are Grade 12 grad Alison Seinen and kindergarten students Luke, Cole and Morgan. See more photos on page 19.
Wood dust from pine beetle killed timber is just one of the factors being investigated in the Babine Forest Products and Lakeland Mill tragedies, however this month, WorkSafe B.C. released a 395 page report solely focussed on safely dealing with workplace wood dust accumulation. The report zeros in on the best practices to deal with wood dust build up and details housekeeping standards, equipment to combat wood dust and includes examples of current industry practices from several sawmills.
“ “There are five elements necessary to initiate a dust explosion...”
- WorkSafe B.C.
The explosions in Burns Lake and Prince George sawmills prompted a series of follow up actions by industry and government and according to WorkSafe B.C., one key step is to focus on industry practices for wood dust. WorkSafe B.C. advises minimizing the See MILLS on Page 3
Be bear aware - new fines apply for attracting wildlife By Rebecca Billard Black Press
Recent changes to the Wildlife Act give conservation officers the ability to issue a $230 ticket or a notice for a court appearance to residents who do not secure bear attractants. Residents who intentionally leave out items that attract dangerous wildlife could also be issued
a Dangerous Wildlife Protection Order and failure to comply with an order carries a $575 fine. According to conservation officers, the main cause of human and wildlife conflicts in B.C. is access to nonnatural food sources. Bears that learn how to get at exposed pet food, ripe fruit, improperly stored garbage, dirty barbecues or composts become
conditioned and will continue to return to the area. The province is now urging locals to do what they can to control bear attractants and subsequently reduce conflicts with bears. Tips for reducing bear conflicts; • Keep garbage secured in a bear-resistant container or in the house, garage or shed until pick-up day and
return the containers to the secure site once they are emptied. • Pick ripe and fallen fruit daily and remove any unused fruit trees. • Use bird feeders only in winter. • Keep the ground free of seeds and nuts. • Clean the barbecue grill after each use and store it in a secure area. • Bring pet food dishes inside and store the pet food inside.
• Do not add meat products or uncooked food to compost and turn it regularly and keep it covered. If residents spot a bear they are advised to remain calm, keep away from the bear and bring children and pets indoors, if possible. People should never approach a bear and they should not run from it, as bears can move very quickly.
Once the bear has left the area, residents should check their yards to ensure no attractants are available. In communities where attractants are managed properly, there has been a decline in related humanbear conflict and the number of bears that have to be destroyed. During the 20112012 season, conservation officers across the province received
approximately 37,500 calls regarding humanwildlife conflicts. Of those calls, approximately 23,800 involved human-bear conflicts and over the past five years in B.C., an average of 600 black bears have been destroyed each year, while 93 were relocated. More information about how to be bear aware can be found at www.bearaware.bc.ca