The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has decided that they will take no further action following an incident at a ski centre in Aberdeen.
The accident, which resulted in three adults and five children being injured, took place in February 2013 when the Snowy-Owl Chairlift at the Lecht Ski Centre suffered a de-ropement.
The HSE undertook an extensive investigation involving specialists and concluded that the incident occurred when an intermediate sheave (a unit connecting the rope to the tower) sustained damage which allowed the rope carrying the chairs to disengage causing the chairs to drop.
The investigation also concluded the chairlift had been subject to appropriate levels of inspection and maintenance and the operator had discharged his legal duties in terms of health and safety legislation. Therefore, the HSE decided not to take further action.
Following the incident, the Snowy Owl chairlift was fitted with additional safety features beyond that required or recommended by the manufacture or the relevant Standard.
