Contractor was completing recce work in an area that was only accessible by helicopter. Crews were working on south facing slopes that were in excess of 40% with poor snow conditions.
The crew caused several snow sluffs & slides while walking along the side slopes that were big enough to knock a worker downhill. The largest slide was 15-20m wide and over 1m deep and travelled at least 100m down toward the stream below the block.
Potential Hazards:
o Recent rapid rise in above freezing temperatures and or wet conditions;
o Recent loading of snowfall 30cm or more in the last 48hrs;
o Evidence of slab avalanches in the area;
o Signs of snowpack instability including “whumpfs”, shooting cracks, or drum-like sounds;
o 30 degree slopes or greater;
o Evidence of avalanche history, such as sparsely treed area or open forest on alpine slopes;
o Strong winds causing blowing snow and slab development;
o Sustained heavy snowfall >2cm per hour.
ALWAYS avoid the area and adjust plans if there is any risk of avalanche.
| File attachments |
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| Safety_Alert_Canfor-Avalanche_March_14-2018.pdf |