Lucky Shot Mine , Safety Award
The Lucky Shot Mine is located at Mile 23 Fishhook road Willow Alaska, on one of the steepest slopes in the Talkeetna Mountain range. In developing an ongoing and proactive safety program, specifically dealing with potential avalanches, the mine was prepared for several avalanches in 2022. There are many challenges that should be analyzed when thinking about working safely in this type of vertically challenged location. Developing a plan included gaining historical information, forecasting, and developing execution plans including creating small avalanches to prevent a large one. Training included basic avalanche rescue and proper
equipment. On Feb. 12, 2022, a storm front entered the area. The decision was made to vacate the mine site until the storm front passed. During this time the storm front made it impossible to conduct our Helicopter avalanche program. On Feb. 16 the storm broke for a very short period. At that time, the plan was to conduct a helicopter run with the intent to loosen the lower half of the slope, however, due to the amount of snow that had dropped the avalanche came down in areas
that were historically not known for Avalanches. The storm started back up. The second Avalanche happened on the 19, this one was natural. This avalanche took equipment over the mine bench. Cleanup started after the forecaster deemed it safe to return. The equipment and snow removal plan was conducted with JHA’s for each piece of equipment prior to retrieval. No employees or contractors were injured or any first aid type injuries.
The Hard Hat Safety Award was presented to Chris Kennedy and Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse (right).
Photo by Lee Leschper
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Winter 2023
10/02/2023 12:56:24 PM
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