Safe snow removal starts with buying the right equipment. Cpsc has received reports of injuries with snow throwers, including finger amputations. Warm up before starting the job and stretch both before and after shoveling. Squat, using your legs to do the work instead of your back. Move with the shovel as you push it, do not reach away from the body. Shoveling snow can strain the heart, even in healthy people. Take frequent breaks and drink warm nonalcoholic fluids. Be heart healthy and avoid back injuries this winter by following these shoveling safety tips. The shovel used should be designed for the material it is used on. Snow shoveling heart attacks happen in young and old, fat and skinny. Dont twist the back, knees or neck when throwing the load.
Falls and other hazards to workers removing snow from rooftops and other elevated surfaces every year, workers are killed or seriously injured while performing snow or ice removal from rooftops and other building structures, such as decks. In indiana 2018, several people died in a matter of days. The following are tips from the national safety council for safe shoveling. Instead, skim the top 6 inches off, then scoop up the bottom 6 inches. Keep the shovel close to your body, with your hands at least 12 inches apart. The scoop about snow shoveling facts while shoveling snow can be good exercise, it can also be deadly for optimistic shovelers who take on more than they can handle. When the snowfall is heavy 1 foot in depth, lets say, dont try to clean right down to the ground with a single scoop.
Here are a few safety tips for snow shoveling and blowing. Snow shoveling safety tips wear proper clothing when working outside for extended periods. Consumer product safety commission cpsc wants you and your family to be safe when using snow throwers. If you prepare and use safe shoveling techniques, you can prevent hurting. While most people wont have a problem, shoveling snow can put some people at risk of heart attack. Cold weather can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Shoveling early and often will help prevent buildup and lighten your load. But before you tackle the first snowfall of the season, take some time to read these safety snow shoveling tips to help avoid any potential injuries. A roundbladed shovel is used for digging and a garden spade for turning soil, transplanting, and edging. It can also put severe stress on your heart and can even result in heart attack. This is poor form bend your knees and lift with your legs lift things closer to your center of gravity not way out in front or to the side keep back straight and bend just at the waist if you do need to bend forward.
This safety alert is to bring to light the hazards of getting to work. Snow removal safety environmental health and safety. Proper shoveling techniques by brian frechette, dpt, faa. Shoveling snow can be more than just an annoying chore. People get hurt when they try to shovel in a hurry. Push from the edge of the handle, shift body weight from back leg to front leg instead of bending at the waist. Consumer product safety commission, in 2018, more than 7,000 people were treated in emergency rooms, doctors offices, and clinics for injuries that happened while shoveling or.
Before you start shoveling, move and stretch your muscles to warm them up. In the wintertime, leave time in your schedule for shoveling, and it will be a more pleasant, safer task. National safety council recommends the following tips to shovel safely. Ice and snow hazards when winter arrives that means there is a potential for freezing temperatures, snowstorms, icy roads, and slippery sidewalks all of which present a variety of health and safety hazards. When shoveling snow, make sure to take frequent breaks about every 15 minutes to keep from getting overworked. Use a snow shovel and hold the end of it close to one hip. Take frequent breaks, even if only for a couple of.
The coronavirus pandemic has delayed the deadline for employers to file both. The shovel safe action shovelno would be issued when forecasted wind chills are 35 or 40 mph depending on the warning andor an ice. Make sure you understand your owners manual safety procedures. Nationwide, snow shoveling is responsible for 100 deaths each year. It can make blood clot more easily and constrict arteries, which decreases blood supply. In general, if you load a shovel weighing over 1 kg with 5 kg of snow just about the average every 5 seconds, you will move a load of over 70 kg in one minute. The minnesota safety council offers the following tips to help you get a handle on safe shoveling. Prior to using a snow blower, read the instruction manual for specific safety. Snow shoveling is an inevitable, sometimes daily, task for snowridden regions. Fanshaped leaf rakes are for raking leaves and other garden debris. A squarebladed shovel is used for lifting and moving loose material. Weather safety 291 safety in adverse weather conditions cold weather and snow shoveling while shoveling snow can be good exercise, it can also be dangerous for optimistic shovelers who take on more than they can handle. If you do lift it, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel.
Heart attacks, back strain and muscle soreness are just a few of the problems attributed to shoveling snow. Make sure to read the instruction manual carefully before you use the equipment. Avoid shoveling if you are elderly or have a heart condition. File a complaint asking osha to inspect their workplace if. Prior to using a snow blower, read the instruction manual for specific. Smart snow shoveling safety tips yourcareeverywhere. Hear why this sudden cardiac arrest occurs, and how to avoid it. Page 5 of 14 plastic shovel with a metal edge solution. Push the snow forward rather than lifting it out of the way. Use proper shoveling technique bend from the knees, throw the snow in front of you, work at a comfortable pace, use an ergonomic shovel for pushing snow make sure you have proper gear to be working outside for extended periods of time. Even if you exercise regularly and are not at risk for heart disease, shoveling improperly could lead to a strained back. In this storm alone, at least three men have died of heart attacks while shoveling snow. Ranging from sprains and strains to significant back injuries, its important to think about safety and take precautions to prevent injury. Osha has investigated serious injuries and fatalities all of which could have been prevented.
Snow shoveling safety shoveling snow is very hard work. Snow shoveling safety safe snow shoveling requires proper preparation, good technique and knowledge. Plowing or pushing snow can be a better way to clear a large area in moderate snow depths. Snow sure looks pretty, but it must be shoveled safely if you or someone you are with begins to have chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs of a heart attack, call or text 911 right away if you have a history of heart disease do not shovel without your doctors ok take breaks while shoveling and do not overexert yourself, especially if you are usually. First of all, you should keep in mind that shovelling snow involves strenuous effort. A smaller blade shovel 1014 should be used for lifting and throwing snow. The seasonal chore of snow shoveling combines heavy lifting and cold weather.
Sudden exertion, like moving hundreds of pounds of snow after being sedentary for several months, can put a big strain on the heart. Before you dig into the snow, warm up for about 5 minutes by stretching or walking in place. Have had a heart attack or have other forms of heart disease have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels are a. If youve ever had a heart attack, if you have heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you probably dont want to do the shoveling yourself. If possible, shovel only fresh snow it is easier to shovel than wet, packeddown snow. Snow shoveling tips for those who park in the driveway. Remember, even light fluffy snow can lead to a lasting back injury if shoveled improperly. A worker was shoveling snow from the roof of a residential.
It may look light and fluffy, but shoveling snow can be risky for many people. Carbon monoxide poisoning december and january are peak times for this health issue. Falls and other hazards to workers removing snow from. If youre not careful, it may actually put stress on your heart and increase your risk of a cardiac event, especially if youre elderly, dont exercise often. Preparation talk to your doctor about this activity and your health status before winter season arrives.
Shoveling snow, especially if the snow is wet, is like picking up heavy weights. It may be especially dangerous for people, who do not regularly exercise, as their bodies, may not be prepared for the level of activity. Snow shoveling is one of the most highintensity exercises you can do. Shovelers also are at risk for hypothermia, a decrease in body temperature, if they are not dressed correctly for the weather conditions. If the ground is icy or slippery, spread salt, sand or kitty litter to create better foot traction.
Winter safety tip snow shovel safety shoveling snow can be risky, but not if you do it right. In extreme conditions, such as very cold and windy weather, 15 minutes of shoveling should be followed by 15 minutes of rest. One full shovel load can weigh in excess of 25 pounds. If you have a history of heart trouble, check with your doctor before grabbing that snow shovel and clearing the driveway or sidewalk. Individuals over the age of 40, or those who are relatively inactive, should be especially careful. Stretch your arms, shoulders, and back, and have a. The smaller blade will decrease the amount of snow that is lifted, decreasing the risk of injury. The consumer product safety commission reports each year there are about 11,500 people in the united states treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to snow shoveling theres also a risk of death by shoveling. Snow shoveling safety snow shoveling, it would seem, is just another chore for most of americans who live in regions hit by annual snow fall. Snow shoveling this job is more physical than you may be used to. Snow shovelability safety guide buffalo state college. Shoveling snow can be excellent exercise, but it can also be hazardous to people who overdo it. Knowledge shoveling snow is strenuous activity that is very stressful on the heart. Average number of americans who go to the emergency room each year due to snow shoveling.
Otherwise, you could be hurting yourself by lifting too much. An ergonomically designed shovel will help you avoid bending or lifting as much. Snow shoveling can be good exercise when performed correctly and with safety in mind. Shoveling keep the feet staggered and elbows close to the body. What many people dont know, is that shoveling snow puts more than just a damper on your morning. Snow shoveling is a weightlifting exercise that raises your heart rate and blood pressure. There are some tips you should consider to protect yourself from hazards, including cold exposure and physical exertion.
When the driveway and walkways are coated in a thick blanket of snow, it is time to get a shovel out for what some consider to be a dreaded chore. Walk to dump snow rather than throwing it when snow is deep, shovel small amounts 12 inches at a time at a time. Push the snow, rather than lift it, and be sure not to throw the snow over your shoulder or sideways, as a. Begin when a light covering of snow is on the ground to avoid trying to. Cold air makes working and breathing hard, which adds some extra strain on the body. Repeat for 15 minutes and you will have shovelled 1,000 kg of snow. Snow removal can be especially dangerous if you do not exercise regularly.
Snow shoveling while shoveling snow can be good exercise, it can also be dangerous for optimistic shovelers who take on more than they can handle. Snow shoveling causes a rapid increase in heart rate, beyond the safe range of. Snow removal and clean up environment, health and safety. Nationwide, snow shoveling is responsible for thousands of injuries and as many as 100 deaths each year. Precautions for the safe use of rakes and shovels select the correct shovel or rake for your job. If you load a shovel 2 plus pounds with 10 pounds of snow every 5 seconds, you move a load of over 140. Insert shovel vertically into snow, step on blade and lift small amounts. Safety information for the university of north carolina at chapel hill. Snow removal ergonomics occupational health clinics for ontario workers inc. Just make sure that if you choose to shovel, you take some precautions.
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