Employers with workers in B.C.’s backcountry urged to consider avalanche risks

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – WorkSafeBC is urging employers with workers in the province’s backcountry to address the potential risk of serious injury or death from avalanches.

Forest industry specialist Carol Savage says businesses often don’t realize the dangers workers face in avalanche zones.

She says employers should conduct a risk assessment to determine if slides are likely to occur near their workers.

Savage says that depending on the results of a review, an avalanche safety program may be required.

Three workers have died in avalanches in B.C. since 1998.

Savage says there have also been 47 accepted injury claims in that same period. (CHNL)