SAM Magazine—July 26, 2012—The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issued two citations against Hunter Mountain, N.Y., following the January 18 death of a snowmaking employee who slipped on ice and slid 200 feet hitting a tree and a rock. The safety violations (each carry a fine of $4,250) claim that 1) Hunter did not train the employee in the limitations of the spiked footwear and 2) Hunter did not require the employee to carry a radio or other means of summoning help.

SAM Magazine—July 26, 2012—The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issued two citations against Hunter Mountain, N.Y., following the January 18 death of a snowmaking employee who slipped on ice and slid 200 feet hitting a tree and a rock. The safety violations (each carry a fine of $4,250) claim that 1) Hunter did not train the employee in the limitations of the spiked footwear and 2) Hunter did not require the employee to carry a radio or other means of summoning help.

Hunter will dispute the claims during an informal conference. Russ Coloton, president of Hunter, told SAM, "We've got some evidence to produce that we feel will address the violations." To start, a radio was available to the employee, but he did not take it with him. As well, Coloton explained that ski patrol was out on the hill at the time of the accident and that it occurred within 1,000 feet of an emergency telephone—the same phone that was used to call the accident in.

The unfortunate incident happened at 8:55 a.m., just five minutes before the trail was to open—the trail had already been cleared by patrol.

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