TO YOUR HEALTH

February 2012

Snow Shoveling Safety

As the winter approaches and snow starts to fall, most people will be removing snow from their driveways and walkways. Before grabbing your snow shovel or revving up your snow blower, take a look at some of these helpful hints to keep you injury free – and out of the emergency room. Keep in mind you should always check with your physician regarding your ability to safely remove snow.

• Engage in a simple warm up before heading outside. This can include a few minutes of light exercise and gentle stretching.
• Dress in light layers so that you can remove a single layer if you begin feeling hot or sweaty, without risking a sudden, sharp decrease in body temperature.
• Wear proper footwear. A good non-slip tread and cushioning/insulation will keep your base of support solid and less susceptible to falls.
• If you are aware of a heavy storm, clear the snow after a few inches fall. These repeated, frequent sessions will avoid the need to clear large accumulations, which may also become packed and heavy.

Shoveling can turn into a dangerous chore if you are not aware of some of the risks. Some safety tips include:

• If you can push the snow instead of lifting, do so.
• Take small scoops as opposed to large. Snow, especially when sticky or wet, can be heavy.
• Spray your shovel with Teflon – this keeps the snow from sticking and prevents your shovel from collecting additional weight while you shovel.
• Bend at the knees and hips while shoveling, keeping your back straight.
• Turn your whole body when dumping the snow. Twisting your torso can lead to injury.
• Where your driveway meets the street, the snow from plows may be heavier and harder to scoop. This is an area where it’s especially important to pace yourself, take small scoops and carefully turn your body when dumping the snow. Try to avoid depositing the snow over high banks because lifting a loaded shovel higher may increase your chance of injury.
• Switch your stance periodically – alternate having your right foot forward and your left foot forward. This may also cause you to switch your hand placements on the shovel. Both of these steps will reduce fatigue and leave you less prone to injury.

Even though snow blowers were designed to offer less stress on the body, it is especially important to follow safety guidelines when operating these machines. Some basic precautions include:

• Never place your hands or fingers inside a snow blower. There are specific tools used to clear jams and even a snow blower that is stuck or “off” can suddenly move, causing injury.
• Make certain that discharge chutes are pointed in a safe direction at all times. Snow blowers can also project rocks and other debris.
• Do not alter or remove safety guards from your snow blower.

Disclaimer:
It should be noted that H/AREA makes this information known as a Service to its Home Page Viewers.
H/AREA does not recommend or endorse any of the ideas in these articles.

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