Safe Snow Shovelling
Living in Canada, most of the population can “look forward” to some amount of snowfall during the Winter months. While some may opt to use snow blowers or other snow removal tools, this post will focus on manual shovelling.
Every time snow is manually shovelled, the person is subject to the following risks:
- Cold exposure
- Slip and fall
- Dehydration
- Muscular strain due to high load, repetition or bad postures
Anyone who is shovelling should be aware of the risks and take active steps to protect themselves! Let’s take a look at each risk in more depth to better understand safe snow shovelling.
Cold Exposure
Prolonged exposure to cold conditions can result in a variety of negative health conditions that range from mild discomfort to frostbite or hypothermia. Take steps for self-protection by ensuring that all areas (e.g. head, feet, hands) are covered. Dress in layers of clothing, with an inner layer focused on insulation and drawing moisture away from the skin.
Slip and Fall
Anytime there is a fall, there is potential for injuries such as sprains/strains, broken bones, or head injuries. Icy and windy conditions can add to the likelihood of the fall. Older adults may generally be more prone to falls due to decreased balance. If venturing outside, try to shovel when there is good visibility. Another idea is to invest in footwear with adequate tread or grip.
Dehydration
While it is important to stay warm, it is also important to stay dry while working in the winter. Moisture can cause heat to leave the body at a much quicker rate versus dry conditions. Try to incorporate waterproof footwear and cover all exposed skin.
Muscular Strain
Snow is often perceived as soft and fluffy. However, each shovel full will weigh around 10 lbs. Add in the weight of the shovel at 2-5 lbs. Even at a pace of one shovel per 10 seconds, there could be 90lbs worth of snow being shovelled each minute. This type of work is an effort for your heart muscles and body muscles. There is risk of muscle strain with body parts such as arms, neck or back. It is important to be aware of your postures while shovelling. It may be faster to keep your feet in the same spot and rotate your upper body when shovelling, but this posture will put you at a greater risk for injury. Remember to move your feet to avoid twisting your back!
If you are at risk of muscular strain due to an existing injury, perhaps you should investigate using a propelled snow blower or perhaps a sleigh shovel.
Does the type of shovel matter? Yes it does! Ideally, the type of shovel and the type of work are both matched with the person doing the work. Use a shovel that has a handle that reaches chest height. This length of shovel should decrease strain on the lower back due to repetition. An Ergonomic shovel, or one with a bent handle, may be appropriate for some users.
Meanwhile, there is risk of a cardiac event if the heart is overtaxed. To minimize the risk of these types of injuries, ensure that you warm up your muscles before starting a large shovel job. If your typical day doesn’t include this amount of work, the entire driveway may be too much effort all at one. In this case, it might be beneficial to break it up into sections. Similarly, try to maintain an even pace while taking breaks, in order to prevent over-exertion.
Overall
The key is to be aware! First, be aware of the type of environment (e.g. temperature, precipitation, slippery surfaces) that requires you to be outside. Next, be aware of the sizes and types of equipment (e.g. snow blower, sleigh shovel, ergonomic shovel) that best fit your needs. Lastly, be aware of your own postures and shovelling habits. Only you, the user, can control how the work is being performed, which has an impact on the hazards to you!
Check out these wonderful resources developed by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), geared towards Working in the Cold and Snow Shovelling.