Lafarge Canada fined after cement dust escapes silo

Lafarge Canada Inc. has been fined $125,000 by the B.C. Provincial Court for an illegal discharge of cement powder from a cement manufacturing plant in Richmond, B.C.

“On Feb. 17, 2007, Lafarge was operating machinery in its plant, located at 7611 No. 9 Road in Richmond, B.C., and was blowing cement powder from a cement mill into one of its storage silos,” said Ray Robb, regulation and enforcement division manager with Metro Vancouver.

“The silo overfilled with cement powder and the overflow was forced out through a vent on the top of the silo, bypassing pollution control equipment.”

Lafarge failed to follow its own standard operating procedures.

The company didn’t check to make sure the cement powder was flowing to the correct silo.

An alarm designed to initiate a shut-down in the event of high levels of cement powder inside the silo also failed.

“As a result, an unknown amount of cement powder escaped from the overfilled silo,” said Robb. “Prevailing winds carried the powder to Shelter Island Marina, about one kilometre away. Cement powder settled on to boats and other surfaces, mixed with rain and caused extensive property damage.”

Marina residents complained about the deposit of mud or dirt on their vehicles and boats, while Lafarge failed to immediately report the spill.

In response to this incident, Metro Vancouver began an investigation.

Cement powder is capable of injuring people and the environment.

As such, it is classified as an air contaminant, which is regulated by Metro Vancouver’s air quality bylaws.

For this reason, the uncontrolled discharge of cement powder into the air contravened the requirements in Lafarge’s air quality permit issued by the regional authority.

Businesses that discharge air contaminants are required to comply with Metro Vancouver bylaws, including any permit requirements, to ensure the protection of human health, the environment, business and property from the harmful impacts of air contaminants.