In the wake of the ski lift accident in BC earlier this week, skiers in this area probably wondering just how safe the ski lifts at local resorts like Blue Mountain or Horseshoe Valley are.
Dave Lyall is with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority of Ontario which is the organization that inspects ski lifts to ensure they are operating safely.
He says they examine the lifts from top to bottom several time a year in addition to the daily inspections that are done by trained staff at each ski resort.
Lyall says the in depth inspections include examining every single tower, all of the mechanical operations and log books to make sure the required maintenance been performed.
He says ski operators like Blue Mountain, Taliasman and the Simcoe County resorts have a remarkable safety record which is a testament to not only the top quality equipment they are using, but the high level of training the operating staff receive.
Lyall says 90 per cent of any incidents involved ski lifts in Ontario are people related and its not the lifting device itself that has caused the problem.
He says people not following the safety rules which are clearly posted at every ski resort at every lift is the main reason for ski lift accidents.
Lyall says sometimes there are minor mechanical issues or break down that may cause a problem with the lift but not a catastrophic failure like there was at the lift at Whistler earlier this week.
He says another mandate of the TSSA is providing education and information to skiers about what they do and how people can be safe while riding the lifts.
