Skifield injury inquiry

The Department of Labour is investigating a workplace incident at the Remarkables Ski Area after a worker was seriously injured when caught in a conveyor.

Skifield manager Ross Lawrence said a 20-year-old Australian, a first-year employee in the lift department, was clearing snow from under a magic carpet conveyer lift when her gloved hand was caught in the machine.

The lift was stopped immediately and the belt cut to release her arm.

She was attended to on the field then taken by ambulance to Lakes District Hospital for an X-ray, before being transferred to Southland Hospital for surgery to her broken upper arm.

The skifield referred the matter to the Department of Labour.

Mr Lawrence said the skifield would be reviewing its processes to improve the lift operation.

"There's always room for improvement," he said.