Staying Safe During the Holiday Rush
It’s that time of year again where the season ramps up and you go from working a little to working a lot. Reviewing incident reports from last year, we’ve identified some trends and key preventative tips to help keep you skiing and riding safely all season long. Take a read, stop to think, talk about it amongst your peers and look out for yourselves and others.
Slips, Falls, and Terrain Hazards (Icy or Firm Snow)
Slips on icy patches, falls caused by hard snow chunks, and issues with terrain (on and off groomed runs) frequently resulted in injuries. With snow conditions changing every day (and often throughout the day) we must use our experience to predict the snow conditions on and off the hill. Bumps, stumps, tree tops and ditches – there one day, gone the next – new snow is great at hiding hazards (and the rain is great at exposing them too!)
How could we reduce slips and falls?
Hazard Awareness
Continue to share current terrain conditions, icy patches, or other hazards on the hill – if needed, report terrain hazards to Patrol to mark for others.
Where do icy patches build up every season? How can you tell if it’s ice or not? Share your wisdom with your guests and peers.
When you do fall:
How can we reduce the risk of injury when you do fall? Let yourself go, try not to brace yourself with firm and locked out limbs. If the terrain below you is safe, let yourself slide and slow down before trying to come to a stop.
Chairlift-Related Incidents
A number of injuries happened during chairlift loading or offloading, caused by dropped poles or unexpected movements by guests.
How to stay safe:
Communicate Clearly: Discuss what to do if something is dropped from a lift.
Coordinate with Lift Operators: Inform them if your class requires a slowed lift or extra assistance.
Overuse and Fatigue-Related Injuries
We know you work multiple days in a row over the holiday period, and several incidents stemmed from prolonged periods of work without adequate rest. While thankfully most of these incidents led only to soreness, strains and blisters, fatigue plays a huge factor in more serious injuries, so we encourage you to take care of yourselves and manage your work and rest by:
Balancing workload:
Whether you’ve been working consecutive days with high-level or high-energy clients or done a week of Never Evers, talk to your supervisor about taking a different level for a couple of days. A change in client levels can give you a chance to adjust to physical and mental demands.
Come stretch!
Come and join our indoor stretching and conditioning classes (sign up in RPOS):
Sunday: Ranges of Motion with Astrid
Monday: Yoga with Amanda
Tuesday: Myofascial Stretching with Paul (not 24th or 31st)
Saturday: Yoga with Bob
Collisions with Students, Guests, or Members of the Public
33% of incidents involved you being hit by students or members of the public, often from behind or during sudden stops.
How can we prevent collisions?
Clear Communication: Emphasize proper stopping zones and spacing. Remind students to look up and maintain spatial awareness.
Anticipate Movements: Help students stay focused while being mindful of their surroundings.
Improper Lifting Techniques and Back Injuries
We know you’ve heard it again and again (and again) but please don’t lift your students! 15% of injuries this time last year occurred when you were lifting children (e.g., off a lift or during lessons) or assisting students with equipment.
Prevention Tips:
Minimize Lifting: Encourage students to stand up independently and manage their own equipment with verbal guidance.
Teach Independence: Show students techniques to help themselves, reducing the need for physical assistance.
Take Care of Yourself
Most injuries are preventable, and your safety matters. Take moments throughout the day to pause, breathe, and assess risks. Together, let’s make this your best season yet! We really do want everyone home safe every day as being injured sucks.