Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CAUGHT

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The em¿ployer 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 an avalanche without making a proper hazard assessment. No standard operating procedure was in place. An avalanche consultant had not been used to identify areas of avalanche terrain or recommend safety procedures or protocols for snow removal. Road crews had not been trained in snow removal procedures, search and location, or what to do if caught in or witness to an avalanche. Supervisors were not given training to enable them to recognize and eliminate or reduce safety and health hazards in their working units. a.No job safety analysis was done in compliance with NPS-50 guidelines. b.Road crews did not receive documented training in vehicle operation. c.Snow stability of individual slopes was not evaluated. d.No safety or rescue plan for working avalanche terrain was in place. e.Lack of rescue equipment, no training or practice in the use of rescue equipment. f.No avalanch lookout to watch for avalanche activity, or method to warn operators. g.No central coordination, or communication between various road crews. h.Appropriate specialized job safety training was not provided to employees. i.Supervisors were not trained in safety and health procedures. One feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to provide an occupational safety and health program following guidelines provided in NPS-50. Draft standard operating procedures based on job hazard analysis, which include as a minimum: a.Documented training to road crews on vehicle operation, snow removal and avalanche preparedness. b.Operating procedures, training plans, and avalanche terrain evaluated by an avalanche consultant. c.Supervisors trained in the skills necessary to manage the agencies safety and health program. Cease snow removal operations in areas with avalanche history or potential until the aforementioned deficiencies are abated. Snow removal should not be resumed without completing site specific job hazard analysis, and the potential for avalanche has passed or been otherwise removed.