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WorkSafeBC highlights safety during avalanche season

Feb. 6, 2018 – Primary resource industries including forestry are being reminded to exercise safety measures in avalanche terrain.

“B.C. is full of such rugged terrain, and working in it without proper precautions is dangerous, even deadly,” says Patrick Davie, WorkSafeBC manager of prevention field services, Kamloops. “Employers in these situations are required under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation to ensure a well-rehearsed safety plan is in place and well understood by all workers.”

WorkSafeBC says employers should identify, assess and take action to mitigate the danger associated with working in areas presenting avalanche risk.

Since 1998 in B.C., avalanches have caused three worker deaths and 52 accepted time-loss injury claims, including two injury claims in 2017, according to WorkSafeBC.

Employers are being encouraged to visit the Canadian Avalanche Association website for more resources.

February 6, 2018  By  Tamar Atik