A conversation on some key changes in avalanche worker safety in Canada between Brad White, Wren McElroy, Brian Gould and Bruce Jamieson. Recorded 2024-09-06. This conversation explores the evolution of avalanche worker safety in Canada, focusing on accidents, the regulatory influences, the importance of safety plans, human factors affecting decision-making, and the significance of mentorship and teamwork in high-risk environments. The speakers discuss how the industry has improved safety protocols and reduced the risks faced by avalanche workers on the job. #avalanche #worker #safety #canada #workersafety #humanfactors #mentoring #teamwork #safetyculture Takeaways - Avalanche Safety Plans are valuable for worker safety. - Regulatory changes have contributed to better safety practices. - Human factors play a significant role in decision-making. - Stress management is important for maintaining safety. - Situational awareness is key in high-risk environments. - Reflection on past decisions can improve future safety. - Teamwork can improve decision - Mentorship is vital for new workers in the industry. - The culture around safety has improved significantly. - Distractions can compromise worker safety Chapters 00:00 The Evolution of Avalanche Worker Safety 02:51 Regulatory Influence and Safety Plans 06:11 Human Factors and Stress Management 09:03 Decision Making in High-Risk Environments 11:46 Situational Awareness and Reflection 15:03 Mentorship and Team Dynamics

A conversation about pivotal changes in avalanche worker safety in Canada between Brad White, Wren McElroy, Brian Gould and Bruce Jamieson. Recorded 2024-09-06. This conversation delves into the evolution of avalanche worker safety in Canada, highlighting past significant accidents, and the resulting changes in protocols and regulations. The panel discusses the importance of human factors in decision-making, the role of technology in improving information exchange, and the cultural shifts towards a more structured safety workplace. Key accidents are examined for their impact on worker safety procedures and safety regulations. #avalanche #worker #safety #canada #safetyculture #accidents #humanfactors #riskcommunication Takeaways - In the nine years between 1995 and 2003, 12 avalanche workers were killed. - Accidents have often triggered changes in safety protocols. - Human factors and decision-making are critical in avalanche safety. - The InfoEx has revolutionized information sharing in the industry. - Cultural shifts have led to improved teamwork and safety practices. - Mapping avalanche terrain is essential for worker safety. - Training and regulations have evolved significantly over the years. - Communication about risk has improved dramatically. - The industrial sector has influenced safety practices in the avalanche industry. - Understanding avalanche terrain is crucial for making safe decisions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Avalanche Worker Safety 02:52 Past Accidents and Changes in Safety Practices 05:47 The Role of Human Factors in Avalanche Decisions 09:11 Technological Advances and Information Sharing 12:00 Cultural Shifts in Safety Practices 14:51 Key Accidents and Their Impact on Safety Regulations 18:07 Current Practices and Future Directions in Avalanche Safety

Highlights from a panel discussion with Wren McElroy, Brian Gould, Brad White and Bruce Jamieson. #avalanche #worker #safety #workersafety #Canada #safetyculture

Lynne Wolfe and Snow Safety Director, Mike Buotte, talk about the how and why behind changes to avalanche worker safety on the ski patrol. Mike recounts a close call where he was caught in an avalanche that took out a chairlift, and the consequent changes to worker safety. #avalanche #workersafety #skipatrol #bigsky #safetyculture #buyin #closecall #mentoring #training #snowsafety #avalanchesafety #evolution #avalanche 01:00 Introductions 04:59 Reflecting on incidents 05:44 Close call December 1996 06:57 Creation of snow safety department 12:13 Resistance to new procedures 12:57 Staff buy-in 17:39 Training based on written procedures and protocols 18:59 Revising procedures based on feedback 19:07 Asking staff for feedback 21:04 Value of mental models 23:03 Feedback from co-workers 27:58 Training 28:20 Retaining institutional knowledge 31:31 Mentoring 34:41 A welcoming culture for new employees

Spencer Logan and Ethan Greene from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) chat about the evolution of the field safety program. An avalanche accident in April 2024 triggered an emergency response and provided an opportunity to evaluate the program. This is an episode in the series on the evolution of avalanche worker safety. CC BY-ND. Uploaded 14 October 2024 ⁠#field⁠ ⁠#safety⁠ ⁠#plan⁠ ⁠#workersafety #fieldsafety #safetyculture⁠ ⁠#inclusive⁠ ⁠#buyin⁠ ⁠#avalanche⁠ ⁠#accident⁠ ⁠#ProgramEvaluation⁠ ⁠#IncidentReview⁠ ⁠#ManagementCommitment ⁠ ⁠⁠#inclusive⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#avalanche⁠⁠ ⁠⁠#colorado #history ⁠2:38⁠ Field safety plan ⁠4:20⁠ Field equipment ⁠4:47⁠ Field trip plan ⁠5:23⁠ Review field trip plan ⁠6:09⁠ Communication during field day ⁠6:45⁠ Current focus on hazard mitigation ⁠7:15⁠ More car accidents than avalanche accidents ⁠7:33⁠ Avalanche work has been dangerous ⁠8:05⁠ Now, field objectives are clear ⁠8:57⁠ Previously, lots of decisions by individuals ⁠9:21⁠ Now, mostly team decisions ⁠9:56⁠ Information gaps become field objectives ⁠10:08⁠ Mountain ninja to mountain professional ⁠10:47⁠ Safety culture ⁠13:48⁠ Inclusive process ⁠13:23⁠ Staff buy-in ⁠15:34⁠ Check-out / check-in with satellite communicators ⁠17:43⁠ Safety culture, inclusive process ⁠18:47⁠ Avalanche accident ⁠20:43⁠ Program evaluation ⁠23:03⁠ Incident review ⁠26:04⁠ Commitment from senior management

The size of a specific avalanche is assessed with the more visual method and a more quantitative method. Uploaded 2024-04-05. CC BY-ND.

How avalanche workers measure the density of snow layers as thin as 4 cm.

Weak snowpack layers formed by near surface faceting were under-recognized prior to Karl Birkeland's field studies and publications in 1998. This story from recognition of near surface faceting to forecasting and public communication is told by Karl Birkeland, Doug Chabot, Ed Adams, Mark Staples, Mike Cooperstein and Ethan Greene. CC BY-ND

The three chapters of this video are also available separately at https://www.brucejamieson.ca/videos-snow-avalanche-science 2:32 Chapter 1 - Formation and spatial variability 13:00 Chapter 2 - How buried surface hoar and propagation propensity change 20:10 Chapter 3 - Choosing terrain and how pros track layers Simon Horton and Bruce Jamieson, uploaded 8 Nov 2023. CC BY-ND. For videos on the following topics briefly mentioned in the video, follow the links: - Rider triggering (including triggering from a thin area) and crack propagation in weak layers. https://vimeo.com//773056211 - Surface energy exchange and near surface faceting. https://vimeo.com/243958459 For help with the video, we thank Greg Johnson, Marc Piché, Dave Gauthier, Karl Klassen, Doug Chabot, John Buffery, Bill Mark, Ryan Buhler, Steve Conger, Brad Stanton, Dan Miller, Ed Adams & past ASARC students and staff. Key references: 1. S. Horton and Jamieson, B. 2016. Modelling hazardous surface hoar layers throughout western Canada with a coupled weather and snow cover model. Cold Regions Science and Technology 128, 22-31. 2. B. Jamieson and Schweizer, J. 2000. Texture and strength changes of buried surface hoar layers with implications for dry snow-slab avalanche release. Journal of Glaciology 46(152), 151-160.

Chapter 3 is about choosing terrain and how pros track persistent weak layers. Simon Horton and Bruce Jamieson, uploaded 25 October 2023. CC BY-ND. For more on the following topics briefly mentioned in the video, follow the links: - Rider triggering (including triggering from a thin area) and crack propagation in weak layers. https://vimeo.com//773056211 - Surface energy exchange and near surface faceting. https://vimeo.com/243958459 For help with the video, we thank Greg Johnson, Marc Piché, Dave Gauthier, Karl Klassen, Doug Chabot, John Buffery, Bill Mark, Ryan Buhler, Steve Conger, Brad Stanton, Dan Miller, Ed Adams & past ASARC students and staff. Key references: 1. S. Horton and Jamieson, B. 2016. Modelling hazardous surface hoar layers throughout western Canada with a coupled weather and snow cover model. Cold Regions Science and Technology 128, 22-31. 2. B. Jamieson and Schweizer, J. 2000. Texture and strength changes of buried surface hoar layers with implications for dry snow-slab avalanche release. Journal of Glaciology 46(152), 151-160.