SafeWork NSW Ensures Safety Measures at Snow Resorts through Proactive Checks
SafeWork NSW is conducting thorough visits to all of the state’s snow resorts this week as part of their ongoing commitment to work safety. The focus is on ensuring the safety of the myriad workforce and over a million guests who flock to these areas each season.
The visits are part of proactive measures for reviewing skifield operations, using tools like WHS management systems and SWMS. Inspectors are following up on their preliminary visit earlier this year to ascertain adherence to safety standards, particularly in the context of changing weather patterns due to seasonal snowfall.
The Alpine Ski Area Safety Compliance Program 2025 initiated in May includes an annual industry roundtable which encompasses all snow resort operators, WorkSafe Victoria, and chairlift manufacturers. Their discussions revolve around diverse yet critical topics such as protocols to manage intense wind events’ impact on chairlifts and gondolas, and maintaining safe passenger ropeway operations by utilising products like Bluesafe SWMS.
The dynamics at NSW ski resorts are constantly shifting. This year’s inspection highlights include:
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In line with SafeWork NSW’s regulatory priorities, inspector’s checks are directed towards:
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SafeWork NSW’s commitment lies in fostering safer workplaces for all NSW employees, including those working on a seasonal basis, like ski field operators. It achieves this through a suite of activities undertaken throughout the season to ensure compliance with work health and safety laws – recognising the value of WHS management systems and policies in facilitating this process.
Workers have the provision to report any breaches in work health and safety laws via SafeWork’s “Speak Up Save Lives” website or call directly on 13 10 50. They can also use the SafeWork Psychosocial Hazards Report Form to report psychosocial hazards online.
SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer
“NSW ski resorts pose a unique, dynamic and often precarious environment which hosts over a million visitors each season.”
She assured those heading to resorts like Perisher, Thredbo, Selwyn or Charlotte Pass that “SafeWork NSW continues to engage with all ski resort operators to ensure workers receive adequate training and safety standards are complied with”. She further added, “to increase compliance with work health and safety, SafeWork NSW has prioritised collaboration with the government, operators, their workers and the public.”
Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/safework-nsw-visits-alpine-region-to-ensure-snow-resort-safety
