Boyne Resorts, the company which operates Loon Mountain ski area in New Hampshire, Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine and several other ski areas in the US and Canada has announced that all employees will be required to wear safety helmets while working on the snow. This applies not only to ski and snowboard instructors who routinely wear helmets, but all other workers who get around the mountain on skis or snowboards. Bicycle helmets will also be required for employees while on duty. This follows the death last season of a Sugarloaf employee. The incident was investigated by OSHA which issued a citation for a serious violation of workplace safety rules and levied a fine of $11,408.
Although there is some inconsistency among ski areas, this blanket rule for all employees clearly sets the trend. As with most required personal protective equipment, the employer will be expected to supply it and monitor its use. OSHA rules cover most types of workplaces, and employers can access recommendations for personal protective equipment and the requirements for payment at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/personalprotectiveequipment/.
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