Squaw Valley Ski Holdings Fined in Ski Patroller Death
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California’s Occupational Safety and Health has fined Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, LLC after a ski patroller was killed during avalanche control in January. 

42-year-old Joe Zuiches was handling an explosive for avalanche control when it detonated and killed him at the resort in January. 

Zuiches had several years of professional experience as a climber and ski patroller.

After a six month investigation, Cal/OSHA issued two citations to Squaw Valley, one for failing to correct an unsafe working conditions that related to the handling of the explosives and a second for failing to ensure that all crewmembers maintained visual contact or awareness of the physical location of all crewmembers during avalanche control activities. 

The two citations total $20,250.

Squaw released this statement to us: 

“We respect the guidelines put forth by Occupational Safety Health Association and we have chosen to immediately appeal the citation.”Â