Audio track of first slice and dice. 4 February 2025.

During re-construction of a transmission tower in northwest BC in February, six people were stranded in a lunch shack for four nights. Two of the stranded, avalanche technician Hector MacKenzie and linesman Trevor James recount the story. Another of the avalanche technicians Scott Flavelle provides some background on the powerline and its avalanche history. Recorded in January 2025.

-cut 1st night at shack (& Herb Bluer) to improve flow, some pauses

Edited and uploaded in 6 February 2025.

A conversation with Brad White, Wren McElroy, Brian Gould and Bruce Jamieson. Recorded 2024-09-06. Uploaded 2024-11-14.

#avalanche #worker #safety #canada #workersafety #safetyculture

Lynne Wolfe interviews Big Sky Snow Safety Director, Mike Buotte, on the how and why behind changes in avalanche worker safety at the resort.

#field #safety #plan #culture #inclusive #buyin #avalanche #accident #ProgramEvaluation #IncidentReview #ManagementCommitment #evolution

Chapters

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