In June 13 2010, Janine Learmonth got onto a chairlift operated by NZSki. The restraining bar, designed to stop people falling out of the chairlift during operation, closed and caught the back of Learmonth’s helmet and continued to close. It is reported that the force of the closing mechanism pushed Learmonth’s head downwards, jamming it between her knees.
Learmonth suffered injury and was hospitalised for two days. She is still recovering from her injuries to date. Due to the positioning of the operator of the chairlift, Learmonth’s predicament was not noticed and she was forced to ride the lift to the top before the bar released.
After an investigation by the New Zealand Department of Labour, it concluded that the restraining bar was wrongly set, exceeding the United States manufacturers recommended settings.
Since the incident, NZSki erected new signs warning people not to wear backpacks on the lift. The operator position has also been moved to ensure better visibility of riders of the chairlift during operation.
This incident appears to have a root cause of miscommunication between the supplier/installer of the piece of plant and the operator/client. The tension settings of the bar appear to have been missed as part of the commissioning process.
This incident should highlight the importance of commissioning risk assessments and checklists to ensure that when we introduce a new piece of plant or equipment, or we bring a shut down piece of plant or equipment back into operation, that it is in a condition to operate safely.
