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INDUSTRY EVENTS RMLA 2008 The 37th RMLA Spring Conference and Trade Show in Grand Junction May 5-8 drew a near-record 350 area personnel and more than 80 suppliers to the Two Rivers Convention Center. Aptly, the conference had an energy focus. Keynoter Bruce Smith of the Colorado Energy Forum punctuated that, describing “Colorado’s Electricity Future.” The future includes a fair amount of wind and solar power, but also a continued reliance on coal.In addition to the usual training sessions, there were several more general sessions on the program. One focused on the difficult issues surrounding H2B and J1 visa programs. Areas were warned that the H2B visa crunch could be even worse next year, and there was lengthy discussion of J1 programs. Speakers stressed the importance of working with a sponsor agency that will support the area, not just the student-workers—though worker support is an important function agencies serve as well. Another session described how to outsource an area’s non-destructive testing. Not that this is necessarily the best approach; the Colorado Tramway Safety Board has found that in-house work is often done better. This session emphasized the need for an outside provider to do as good a job as an in-house team would. The main point: make sure the subcontractor thoroughly understands the NDT guidelines and requirements, which include B77 and ASTM standards and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Main takeaway: be as specific and detailed as possible, check out the training and qualifications of the outside provider carefully, and make sure you get documentation for everything that’s done. At a small area session, “Leaner and Meaner,” areas described ways they cover the many resort jobs with a small staff. Most take multitasking to an extreme: lifties also pick up trash and park cars, do maintenance and even accident investigation. Lift operators and snow school instructors train for lift evacuations; lift supervisors help patrol on day-end sweep. Areas use a variety of means to accomplish a key and chronic need: training for in-season lift op hires. Solutions range from video to assigning newbies to work with experienced operators for on-the-job training (some of which is unavoidable). Emergency evacuations are especially difficult for small areas to staff; summer evacuations are the most challenging, for several reasons—staff is reduced from winter levels, many summer guests lack the athleticism of skiers and riders, and then there’s the threat of lightning. The lack of staff and abundance of issues has led some areas to train and rely on the local fire department to handle lift evacuations. But then, as more than one area pointed out, you lose control of the operation. Safety was, as always at RMLA, a major issue. And one aspect of that is Workers’ Comp. Aspen training manager Steve Howard led a session that addressed the conflict between the goals of doing each and every job the correct, safe way, and the financial goal of doing it as cheaply as possible. Howard pointed out that the safe way is usually also the least expensive and the long run. And the best way to reduce claims, ironically, is to get cases reported early and often. Timely reporting helps expose procedural or training problems, and that helps reduce claims over the long term. A proper accident investigation is key; that can help you re-engineer, change work practices, or add some form of protection to reduce future incidents. Howard pointed out that the main risks for lift ops are the ski/ride down at the end of the day (half of all liftie claims), followed by lifting/loading chairs, being struck by chairs, and slips/falls in the work area. Solutions: define the physical and skill requirements of the job, do physical exams for lifties, ask them about any pre-existing conditions. Since skiing/riding are the #1 source of liftie WC claims, make sure they clock out for their ski/ride breaks. It’s best if they are out of uniform as well. And remember, the poor light/snow conditions at the end of the day make the ski/ride down risky—so make sure they are capable of handling both the terrain and the conditions on their designated route down. Howard recommended using a third-party agency to investigate WC claims, so that the resort doesn’t become the bad guy. And he urged areas to stay in touch with an injured employee, to maintain a flow of information. That helps determine how soon the employee can return, and in what capacity. One of RMLA’s biggest draws is the opportunity to compare notes with colleagues from across the West. The small-area roundtable was one of several examples; the two “Does This Happen at Your Area?” open forums (one on mechanical issues, one on electronics) drew large crowds as well. That sharing of practical experience, along with the full slate of instructional classes, should keep RMLA attendance healthy for the foreseeable future.
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EVENTS WRAPUP 
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