Concern at lack of safety rules

Press, 18 December 1985, Page 6

Concern at lack of safety rules

The absence of safety regulations for ski-field T-. bars, poma lifts and rope tows is cause for concern, says the Christchurch Deputy Coroner, Mr Colin Marshall. Police evidence on the death of an Australian skier at Mount Hutt after he was struck a glancing blow by a T-bar on September 18 showed that no Government department had any jurisdiction and safety measures were left up to ski-field operators. Restrictive definitions meant that ski-field machinery did not fall under the inspection provisions of the Boilers Lifts and Cranes Act, said the Coroner. The Machinery Act could also provide official safety regulations, he said.

The act meant that amusement machinery had to be inspected and given certification at regular intervals. “I am surprised to hear that there is now no regular inspection,” said the Coroner. Chairlifts, however, did come under the control of the Marine Division of the Ministry of Transport and were inspected annually. The chairman of the Mount Hutt Ski Company, Mr Peter Yeoman, said that a code of practice had been formulated by ski-field operators, suppliers of machinery and the Mountain Safety Council. The code had been presented to interested bodies and was under review at present, he said.