Cal-OSHA is citing and fining the operator of Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort following the death of a ski patroller in an avalanche late last year. Cole Murphy was killed and a second patroller was seriously injured during the avalanche. After a nearly six-month investigation, Cal-OSHA issued Mammoth three citations for workplace safety violations. The first is classified as a willful violation and alleges the resort failed to ensure employees were properly instructed and used required protective equipment. That violation carries a $90,000 fine. The other two citations are classified as serious. One alleges Mammoth failed to maintain constant communication during avalanche control operations. The other claims the resort failed to check the runout zone for personnel before attaching an igniter to a hand-deployed charge. Each serious violation carries an $18,000 fine. Mammoth Mountain contested all three citations on July 22. The resort has not publicly commented on the allegations, while the citations remain subject to the appeals process.
