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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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 hypothermia and asphyxia: a) On or about November 22, 2010 an employee was buried by an avalanche of snow and debris while performing avalanche control on Glory Hole Hollow ski run within the boundaries of Wolf Creek Ski Area. The employee, working alone, set off an explosive charge and then skied across the face of a slope instead of skiing across the top of the slope. The employee was located approximately 50 minutes later and ensuing resuscitation performed on site was not successful. One feasible and acceptable abatement method is to develop, implement, and train employees on specific operating procedures for avalanche control and to develop work rules and an audit process that effectively monitors and ensures compliance with these work rules. Such procedures need to adhere to the Colorado State Statutes requiring a minimum of two individuals in each avalanche control blasting crew. Abatement Verification: Abatement certification and documentation is required for this item (see enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").-Certification