OSHA Inspection: WOLF CREEK SKI AREA

Issued

Aug 26, 2014

Abate by

Sep 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to serious physical harm such as but not limited to trauma, frostbite, hypothermia and suffocation when working in remote areas with no visual or audible communications with base operations or outside emergency services who can render assistance in case of emergency:       a) On or about March 4, 2014 and times prior, the employer failed to ensure employees working in remote areas needing emergency assistance had a means of effective and continuous communication to their base operations or outside emergency services to readily summon assistance when needed. This violation most recently occurred when an employee was caught in an avalanche and buried in the avalanche dam while conducting field work and his co-workers were not able to make positive contact with anyone to communicate their emergency in a timely manner.     Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Aug 26, 2014

Abate by

Sep 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to suffocation and crushing hazards in the event of being caught in an avalanche when working:   a) On or about March 4, 2014 and times prior, the employer failed to ensure employee safety in the work place. An employee was exposed to avalanche hazards in that adequate avalanche mitigation and evaluation was not conducted prior to allowing the employee to access an area of the mountain that was subject to avalanche.  Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").