Snow Shoveling Safety Tips

/ February 11, 2021/ Faculty, Staff, Students

Shoveling snow can be good exercise, as well as a way to get outdoors in the winter, however it can cause injuries or even death.

Guard against cold-weather injuries such as hypothermia, chilblains, and frostbite.
Be heart-conscious. Check with your doctor if you are currently inactive or have a heart condition.

Before beginning, ensure you have the correct shovel and determine where and how much snow you need to shovel.

Use a lighter plastic shovel, or only fill up a large shovel half way, to decrease the weight of the load.
Try to shovel periodically throughout the storm to avoid moving large amounts of heavy, wet snow all at once.

Wear the proper clothing and warm up your muscles before beginning.

Dress in layers wearing warm, waterproof/resistant clothing, and slip-resistant insulated foot-wear.
Warm up by doing some light movements, such as bending side to side, or walking in place.

Use proper shoveling techniques, as well as following safety guidelines.

Bend at the knees, lift with your legs, and push the shovel.
Walk to where you want to drop the snow because throwing snow over your shoulder in a twisting motion stresses your back.

Take regular breaks and re-hydrate by drinking water, not alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.

Don’t work to exhaustion. Consider taking breaks every 20 to 30 minutes, especially if the snow is wet and heavy.
Don’t smoke, eat, or consume caffeine while shoveling. These activities divert blood away from your heart and cause extra stress on your cardiovascular system.