From Explosives to Catenaries - Scott Flavelle talks about the avalanches and avalanche mitigation along the powerline from Kemano to Kitimat. #avalanche #mitigation #catenary #scottflavelle #tower #powerline #transmissionline #kemano #kitimat Thanks to Greg Johnson / 6 Point Engineering for advice and photos. Resources: 2007 Winter Avalanches on the Kemano Kitimat Powerline. 2008. R. Gee, C. Stethem, A. Jones, K. Fogolin, M. Gadja. Proceedings of the 2008 International Snow Science Workshop. A Story of the Engineering of the Kemano-Kitimat Transmission Line - a transmission line that defined careers. Peter Catchpole, Self-published, 2020. Flavelle, S. and H. MacKenzie, 1996. Powerline Pass – B.C. North Coast Mountain, The history of avalanche damage, mitigation and a modern epic. In Proceedings of the International Snow Science Workshop, Banff, Alberta, Canada, 6-10 October 1996. Canadian Avalanche Association, Revelstoke, BC, Canada, 268-270.

During re-construction of a powerline tower in northwest BC in February 1994, six people were stranded in a lunch shack for four nights. The shack was buried by an avalanche on the third night. In this video, two of the stranded, avalanche technician Hector MacKenzie and linesman Trevor James, recount being stranded and its impact on them. Another of the avalanche technicians Scott Flavelle provides some background on the powerline and the terrain it runs through. Recorded in January 2025 then edited. Uploaded 2025-03-10. #powerline #kemano #avalanche #shack #workersafety #tower #snowstorm #stranded #ptsd

Triggering a persistent slab avalanche from a thin spot is infrequent, insidious and potentially deadly. This 6 minute video outlines the snowpack conditions and mechanics. Intended for intermediate and advanced backcountry recreationists and those interested in avalanche science. 22 Feb 2022. CC BY-ND #thinspot #slab #persistentslab #persistentweaklayer #trigger #snow #avalanche

Different people often assign a different size to the same avalanche. Considering deposit volume has been proposed to improve the consistency of size ratings. With the 2024 adoption of deposit volume into the scale of destructive potential for avalanches, visualizing deposit volume by how high the deposit would fill a house or hockey rink should improve the consistency of ratings. Thanks to Brendan Martland, Lisa Larson and Tyler Carson for helpful comments. Uploaded 2025-01-07 #avalanche #forecasting #avalanchedanger #avalanchehazard #avalanchesize #destructivepotential #depositvolume #visualization #hockeyrink

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.