SAFETY ON THE SLOPES

HSE press release E004:03 - 14 January 2003

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in conjunction with the British Ski Slope Operators Association (BSSOA), has produced a new leaflet 'Health and safety in ski-slope operations'.

Skiing has been very popular for many years and the numbers of those participating in the newer snow sports such as snowboarding has seen dramatic increases. Novices and experts alike practice their skills at one of the many artificial ski slopes or newer indoor snow slopes in the UK or at one of the five ski resorts in Scotland.

The leaflet will interest a wide audience. Managers and employees at skiing facilities, as well as instructors will find the leaflet helpful. It will also be useful to schools, youth clubs and further education establishments.

Andrew Lockerbie, Chairman of the BSSOA said: "We welcome the publication of this leaflet. It provides a clear understanding of the health and safety standards that need to meet. We hope that it will also show the public that snow sports are safer than is sometimes portrayed."

Gavin Howat of the Food and Entertainment Sector of HSE said: "The publication of this leaflet reflects the hard work put in by all those involved. It contains commonsense, straightforward and practical advice that will help slope operators and others to keep snow sports a safe leisure activity that can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities."

The leaflet is available free of charge for single copies or in priced packs of ten from HSE Books. They can also be downloaded from HSE's website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg371.pdf

Copies of HSE leaflet INDG371 "Health and Safety in ski-slope operations" (ISBN 0 7176 2598 2 for a pack of 10) can be ordered online at http://books.hse.gov.uk

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