Date of incident: November 2023
Notice of incident number: 2023160850035
Employer: Ski resort

Incident summary
Two workers were installing parking signs in a parking lot at a ski resort. They were using a light utility vehicle to transport materials and do the work, as there was no snow at that elevation. As one of the workers backed the vehicle up to a sign installation location, the vehicle left the roadway and went over an embankment and down a steep slope. The vehicle rolled over and the worker sustained serious injuries.

Investigation conclusions

Cause

• Vehicle left roadway and rolled over. The vehicle backed over the edge of a steep embankment and rolled over after the worker lost control of the vehicle. The worker likely inadvertently pressed on the speed control pedal (gas pedal) with his foot when he intended to press on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle.
• Steep embankment hazard not controlled. The edge of the embankment at the parking lot, where vehicles and mobile equipment regularly move, was unguarded, with no curb or other barrier to prevent vehicles and mobile equipment from going over the edge and down the steep embankment.

Contributing factors

• Seat belt not used. The worker was not using the seat belt at the time of the incident, when the vehicle was in motion and there was a rollover risk.
• Inadequate training and instruction. Workers were not provided with appropriate training and instruction to address the risk of vehicle rollover on steep terrain at the workplace. Workers were not instructed to use seat belts during the operator training for the vehicle or at the time of the work assignment.

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