Take frequent breaks, even if only for a couple of. The minnesota safety council offers the following tips to help you get a handle on safe shoveling. Snow removal safety environmental health and safety. Before you dig into the snow, warm up for about 5 minutes by stretching or walking in place. The smaller blade will decrease the amount of snow that is lifted, decreasing the risk of injury. Snow shoveling this job is more physical than you may be used to. If you load a shovel 2 plus pounds with 10 pounds of snow every 5 seconds, you move a load of over 140. It can cause muscle strains and back injuries, especially if you do not lift properly. If you are older than 40, or if you arent in good shape, be careful. Job safety analysis environment, health and safety. The shovel safe action shovelno would be issued when forecasted wind chills are 35 or 40 mph depending on the warning andor an ice. What many people dont know, is that shoveling snow puts more than just a damper on your morning.
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. Cold weather can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Snow shoveling safety tips wear proper clothing when working outside for extended periods. Falls and other hazards to workers removing snow from. 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.
Shoveling early and often will help prevent buildup and lighten your load. 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. National safety council recommends the following tips to shovel safely. 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 tips for those who park in the driveway. Snow shovelability safety guide buffalo state college. Precautions for the safe use of rakes and shovels select the correct shovel or rake for your job. The national safety council offers the following tips to help you get a handle on safe shoveling. Just make sure that if you choose to shovel, you take some precautions. Snow removal ergonomics occupational health clinics for ontario workers inc.
When the snowfall is heavy 1 foot in depth, lets say, dont try to clean right down to the ground with a single scoop. Shoveling snow can strain the heart, even in healthy people. In indiana 2018, several people died in a matter of days. Carbon monoxide poisoning december and january are peak times for this health issue. Remember, even light fluffy snow can lead to a lasting back injury if shoveled improperly. If the ground is icy or slippery, spread salt, sand or kitty litter to create better foot traction. Cold air makes working and breathing hard, which adds some extra strain on the body. 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.
Be heart healthy and avoid back injuries this winter by following these shoveling safety tips. Snow removal can be especially dangerous if you do not exercise regularly. Cpsc has received reports of injuries with snow throwers, including finger amputations. 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. 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. A smaller blade shovel 1014 should be used for lifting and throwing snow. Snow shoveling is a weightlifting exercise that raises your heart rate and blood pressure. 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. Safety information for the university of north carolina at chapel hill. Canadian center for occupational health and safety. Make sure to read the instruction manual carefully before you use the equipment.
Page 5 of 14 plastic shovel with a metal edge solution. 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. Consumer product safety commission cpsc wants you and your family to be safe when using snow throwers. Snow shoveling is one of the most highintensity exercises you can do. Fanshaped leaf rakes are for raking leaves and other garden debris. Even if you exercise regularly and are not at risk for heart disease, shoveling improperly could lead to a strained back. Stretch your arms, shoulders, and back, and have a. Canadian occupational safety 8 scoops of snow shoveling safety. Repeat for 15 minutes and you will have shovelled 1,000 kg of snow. Average number of americans who go to the emergency room each year due to snow shoveling. Snow shoveling safety safe snow shoveling requires proper preparation, good technique and knowledge. 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. Heart attacks, back strain and muscle soreness are just a few of the problems attributed to shoveling snow.
It can make blood clot more easily and constrict arteries, which decreases blood supply. While most people wont have a problem, shoveling snow can put some people at risk of heart attack. Warm up before starting the job and stretch both before and after shoveling. In extreme conditions, such as very cold and windy weather, 15 minutes of shoveling should be followed by 15 minutes of rest. Use a snow shovel and hold the end of it close to one hip. A squarebladed shovel is used for lifting and moving loose material. Individuals over the age of 40, or those who are relatively inactive, should be especially careful. Osha has investigated serious injuries and fatalities all of which could have been prevented. There are some tips you should consider to protect yourself from hazards, including cold exposure and physical exertion. Insert shovel vertically into snow, step on blade and lift small amounts.
If you do lift it, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel. When shoveling snow, make sure to take frequent breaks about every 15 minutes to keep from getting overworked. The following are tips from the national safety council for safe shoveling. An ergonomically designed shovel will help you avoid bending or lifting as much. 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. It can also put severe stress on your heart and can even result in heart attack. Smart snow shoveling safety tips yourcareeverywhere. Winter safety tip snow shovel safety shoveling snow can be risky, but not if you do it right. The seasonal chore of snow shoveling combines heavy lifting and cold weather. Otherwise, you could be hurting yourself by lifting too much. Make sure you understand your owners manual safety procedures. Dont twist the back, knees or neck when throwing the load. The coronavirus pandemic has delayed the deadline for employers to file both.
Preparation talk to your doctor about this activity and your health status before winter season arrives. Ranging from sprains and strains to significant back injuries, its important to think about safety and take precautions to prevent injury. Proper shoveling techniques by brian frechette, dpt, faa. Snow shoveling can be good exercise when performed correctly and with safety in mind. A worker was shoveling snow from the roof of a residential. Take frequent breaks and drink warm nonalcoholic fluids. Push from the edge of the handle, shift body weight from back leg to front leg instead of bending at the waist. Snow removal and clean up environment, health and safety. Hear why this sudden cardiac arrest occurs, and how to avoid it. 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. Plowing or pushing snow can be a better way to clear a large area in moderate snow depths. Move with the shovel as you push it, do not reach away from the body.
If you prepare and use safe shoveling techniques, you can prevent hurting. Instead, skim the top 6 inches off, then scoop up the bottom 6 inches. Avoid shoveling if you are elderly or have a heart condition. Walk to dump snow rather than throwing it when snow is deep, shovel small amounts 12 inches at a time at a time. People get hurt when they try to shovel in a hurry. Keep the shovel close to your body, with your hands at least 12 inches apart. Snow shoveling heart attacks happen in young and old, fat and skinny. It may look light and fluffy, but shoveling snow can be risky for many people.
The shovel used should be designed for the material it is used on. Shoveling snow can be more than just an annoying chore. In the wintertime, leave time in your schedule for shoveling, and it will be a more pleasant, safer task. 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. First of all, you should keep in mind that shovelling snow involves strenuous effort.
Nationwide, snow shoveling is responsible for 100 deaths each year. 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. Have had a heart attack or have other forms of heart disease have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels are a. Safe snow removal starts with buying the right equipment. If possible, shovel only fresh snow it is easier to shovel than wet, packeddown snow. Prior to using a snow blower, read the instruction manual for specific. Prior to using a snow blower, read the instruction manual for specific safety. Snow shoveling causes a rapid increase in heart rate, beyond the safe range of. Squat, using your legs to do the work instead of your back. Shoveling snow, especially if the snow is wet, is like picking up heavy weights. In this storm alone, at least three men have died of heart attacks while shoveling snow.
File a complaint asking osha to inspect their workplace if. 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. One full shovel load can weigh in excess of 25 pounds. Here are a few safety tips for snow shoveling and blowing. If you have a history of heart trouble, check with your doctor before grabbing that snow shovel and clearing the driveway or sidewalk. A roundbladed shovel is used for digging and a garden spade for turning soil, transplanting, and edging. Knowledge shoveling snow is strenuous activity that is very stressful on the heart. Sudden exertion, like moving hundreds of pounds of snow after being sedentary for several months, can put a big strain on the heart. Shovelers also are at risk for hypothermia, a decrease in body temperature, if they are not dressed correctly for the weather conditions. Snow shoveling safety shoveling snow is very hard work. This safety alert is to bring to light the hazards of getting to work. Snow shoveling is an inevitable, sometimes daily, task for snowridden regions.
576 1181 995 612 449 277 1229 658 353 342 766 1390 1468 440 811 602 444 1355 1210 342 618 880 1131 1144 715 1115 925 1295 937 1324 416 1436 41 1064 318 183 66 612 389 901 785 559 943 282 258 1188