Page 8 - 74321_NSAA_SpringJournal_Web

Risk Management

AGING LIFTS: THE COST & COLLATERAL DAMAGE

OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE

BY JIMMY LAWRENCE

DURING NSAA’S 2016 FALL EDUCATION SERIES, NSAA and
FES sponsor MountainGuard highlighted the issue of the
industry’s aging lift structure by illustrating what can WHEN YOU OUTLINE THE ADDITIONAL
happen if neglect and deferred maintenance result in a COSTS ABOVE AND BEYOND THE COST
catastrophic accident. OF MATERIALS AND LABOR, YOU CAN
In our hypothetical example, the unthinkable happens. SEE HOW YOU ARRIVE AT A POTENTIAL
A mechanical failure caused by a perfect storm of coincidental 40:1 FIGURE FOR THE ULTIMATE COSTS
failures (e.g., failing to follow protocols, un-maintained equip- OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.
ment, operator error, the casual assumption we can get through
this season) results in serious and fatal injuries, press scrutiny,
irreversible reputational damage, and possibly unprecedented
federal outside regulation.
Yes, mechanical failures have happened in the past, but
very rarely. Few fatal and serious injuries have resulted, and That is why we need to get this right. If you look at the
when measured against how many millions of passengers and classified ads in any of our trade publications and zoom in
how many hours of operation of our collective lift systems, to the help wanted section, the most sought out job is in lift
our safety record is one to be proud of. But even one incident maintenance. It would appear that we may be approaching a
is one too many. Abraham Lincoln once said, “You cannot growing shortage. But that may not be the whole story. Just
escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” as important is the experience and institutional knowledge
So why is this lift maintenance issue so important? As of the maintenance staff currently working at resorts today.
an industry, we know that the safety of our guests is para- In discussing the issues of aging lifts around the country this
mount and we know we must do all we can do—that which past fall, I am encouraged by the programs in place both at
is in our power to do—to ensure that level of safe operation. individual resorts and regionally through resort associations
Our guests trust that our lifts are in the best shape mechan- that are addressing the need for both consistent and compre-
ically—electrically, and yes, operationally—that they can hensive education and training.
be. And when we betray that trust as a resort or as an indus- But complex issues don’t tend to have simple solutions.
try as a whole because of some neglect, complacency, or Beyond personnel, this industry cannot ignore the dangers of
cost-cutting, we suffer along with those who may be injured a culture of deferring maintenance that on the surface may
in an unfortunate incident. Our responsibility is not sub- not seem critical. Quick and temporary reaction to a cri-
stantially different than the trust people have in other forms sis is our forte. But we must strive to do a better job of being
of transportation such as commercial airlines, buses, trains, proactive, not reactive. To quote a famous mythical figure,
in amusement industry rides, in organized recreation, and in Captain Jack Sparrow, “The problem is not the problem; the
other aspects of our lives where we put ourselves in the hands problem is your attitude about the problem.”
of others, although there is a significant responsibility on the The problem can start out as simple as an audible rattle
skier or rider to understand how to ride lifts. or squeak of bull wheel bearings. It may be noticed once

6 | NSAA JOURNAL | SPRING 2017