OSHA Inspection: ASPEN SKIING COMPANY

Issued

Feb 24, 2009

Abate by

Mar 16, 2009

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that
were causing or
likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that
employees were exposed
to frostbite and exposure hazards:
(a)Aspen Skiing Company at Snowmass Ski Area, Aspen, CO 81611:  On or
before
12/05/08, the employer did not develop and implement procedures to ensure
that
snowmaker employees were accounted for and working safely.  The employer
permitted snowmaker employees to operate snowmobiles and work at night
without
adequate communication and safeguards.  A snowmaker employee was operating
a
snowmobile, and was involved in a collision with a tree around midnight on
December 4, 2008.  The employee was immobilized, and was not found until
daybreak on the morning of December 5, 2008.  Conditions exposed snowmaker
employees to frostbite and circulatory injuries.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required
for this item (See
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").
Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable methods of abatement
include:
1)Establish sign-in and sign-out procedures that account for employees
prior to exposure
to on-mountain night time hazards, and which allow management to easily
understand
who is working and who is not, and ensure the use of such logs;
2)Establish consistent pick up and drop off routes for the shift, because
the locations
varied depending upon where the snow was;
3)Initiate periodic radio accountability checks during each shift;
4)Establish a map showing the assigned physical locations of employees;
5)Develop a system to ensure that employees are accounted for at the end
of each shift;
6)Ensure the supervisors handoff responsibilities for employees working
through the
shift change;
7)Establish snowmobile sign-in and sign-out logs, and ensure the use of
such logs; and
8)Ensure the use of these safety procedures by including appropriate
rules, training, on-
site inspections, and if necessary, disciplinary actions and/or incentive
programs.

Issued

Feb 24, 2009

Abate by

Mar 16, 2009

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that
were causing or
likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that
employees were exposed
to collision hazards:
(a)Aspen Skiing Company at Snowmass Ski Area, Aspen, CO 81611:  On or
before
12/05/08, the employer did not develop and implement safe operating
snowmobile
procedures to prevent collision hazards.  The employer permitted snowmaker
employees to operate snowmobiles at night, in conditions of limited
visibility, without
established speed limits.  In addition, the employer did not specify safe
operating
procedures for using snowmobiles in ungroomed terrain.  A snowmaker
employee
was operating a snowmobile, and was involved in a collision with a tree.
Conditions
exposed snowmaker employees to collision hazards, with the risk of head
trauma,
spinal injuries, broken bones, contusions, and other internal injuries,
and contributed
towards the fatality of a snowmaker employee.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required
for this item (See
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").
Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable methods of abatement
include:
1)Establish speed limits for the safe use of snowmobiles at night and for
times of low
visibility;
2)Establish safe operating procedures for the use of snowmobiles off of
established
trails, to include the use of a spotter and/or someone who can call for
help if
assistance is needed; and

Issued

Feb 24, 2009

Abate by

Mar 16, 2009

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,000 Reduced

Issued

Feb 24, 2009

Abate by

Apr 24, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,000

Issued

Feb 24, 2009

Abate by

Apr 24, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,000

Issued

Feb 24, 2009

Abate by

Apr 24, 2009