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AVALANCHE
Manage a snow safety programme
level:
6
credit:
50
planned review date:
June 2009
sub-field:
Snowsport
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to evaluate
avalanche stability and hazard for a specific mountain area
and activity, and develop documentation for a snow safety
programme.
This unit standard may be of interest to people needing to
make assessments of snow stability and avalanche hazard
for a mountain operation, eg snowsport area, mountain
guiding, ski-mountaineering, roading or heliskiing operations.
entry information:
Prerequisites: Unit 4563, Control avalanches using
handcharges; Unit 18132, Demonstrate basic movement
skills and the use of ice axe and crampons; Unit 18133, Use
lowering techniques for snowsport area operations; and Unit
18139, Lead a first party response team for an avalanche
search and rescue; or demonstrate equivalent knowledge
and skills.
accreditation option:
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
moderation option:
A centrally established and directed national moderation
system has been set up by Sport, Fitness and Recreation
Industry Training Organisation.
special notes:
1
People undertaking assessment against this unit
standard need to have a comprehensive understanding
of: snow formation, snow mechanics, snow
metamorphism, snow stability assessment, and hazard
evaluation; the effects of weather on snowpack and
terrain features contributing to avalanches; and an
ability to make decisions regarding snow stability and
avalanche hazard in a short time-frame under pressure.
They must also have demonstrated leadership skills
and experience in avalanche search and rescue.
2
Industry guidelines for recording snow and weather
information are contained in the New Zealand
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
4561 version 5
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AVALANCHE
Manage a snow safety programme
Guidelines and Recording Standards for Weather,
Snowpack and Avalanche Observations, (Wellington:
New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, 2003).
3
All activities must comply with any relevant
environmental, legislative and/or regulatory
requirements set out in the Health and Safety in
Employment (HSE) Act 1992, Injury Prevention,
Rehabilitation, and Compensation Act 2001, and their
subsequent amendments.
4
There are minimum assessor requirements for
assessment against this unit standard. The details of
these requirements are available on the Sfrito website
http://www.sfrito.org.nz/.
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Evaluate avalanche stability and hazard for a specific mountain area and activity.
performance criteria
1.1
Weather and snowpack data are analysed at regular intervals for an
assessment of snow stability and avalanche hazard, the analysis is reviewed
based on field observations, and a hazard forecast made and communicated to
management or the appropriate personnel.
Range:
1.2
effect of weather on snowpack, avalanche occurrences and/or
non-occurrences, test snow profiles, full snow profiles, storm
profiles, slope tests.
Weather observations and avalanche occurrence data are plotted or recorded
on both storm and time profiles to show interaction between key variables.
Range:
may include trends of the following – wind, humidity, temperature,
barometric pressure, new snow.
element 2
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
4561 version 5
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AVALANCHE
Manage a snow safety programme
Develop documentation for a snow safety programme.
performance criteria
2.1
A snow safety programme is designed and/or reviewed with policies and
systems documented to meet HSE requirements and current with information
exchange systems.
Range:
2.2
siting of observation plot(s), system of snowpack weather and
avalanche occurrence data collection, access weather forecasting
service for area, routine avalanche hazard forecasting system,
operational procedures and/or policies, including rescue plans and
procedures.
Options for avalanche control are assessed in terms of their effectiveness for
reducing avalanche hazard for a specific mountain area and activity, and an
avalanche control policy is documented for the operation based on the options
identified.
Range:
passive closure, slope compaction, active control.
2.3
Avalanche hazard forecasting systems are developed for a specific mountain
area, and activity and information documented to industry standards and
operational requirements.
2.4
An avalanche rescue plan is formulated and/or reviewed and is documented to
meet industry standards and operational requirements, and information
communicated to personnel and management.
Range:
2.5
Avalanche occurrence reports are completed to industry standards and
operational requirements.
Range:
2.6
equipment, personnel, communication systems, chain-ofcommand, support team(s), evacuation procedures for people
and/or equipment, system and/or programme of personnel training
in rescue techniques and procedures.
avalanche activity reports and/or avalanche accident reports
and/or avalanche damage reports.
Effective staff training in snow safety operational systems and documentation is
designed and implemented in accordance with company or snowsport area
policy and procedures.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
4561 version 5
16-Feb-16
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AVALANCHE
Manage a snow safety programme
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Sport, Fitness and Recreation Industry Training Organisation
info@sfrito.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Please Note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority or a delegated interinstitutional body before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards
or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before
they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for providers wishing to
develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and
assessors, and special resource requirements.
This unit standard is covered by AMAP 0050 which can be accessed at
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/site/framework/search.html.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016