Safety

Snow and Ice Removal

Winter weather brings new hazards at home and at work, especially if your responsibilities include snow and ice removal. It is not uncommon for employees, on or off the job, to lose a finger by reaching — unsafely — into snow removal equipment to remove an obstruction. Please encourage your employees to observe the precautions dis­cussed in this article. Help all of us to ensure that we have ZERO employee finger amputations — either at home or at work — this winter season!

Consider these winter weather safety tips when remov­ing snow and ice:

Dress Properly. Staying warm and dry is important for preventing hypothermia, a dangerous lowering of the body’s core temperature.

• Dress in layers so you can remove outerwear if you get too warm.
• Keep dry by using waterproof footwear and clothing.
• Keep a change of socks and gloves handy in case yours get wet.
• In severely cold weather, protect your hands, toes and cheeks from freezing to avoid frostbite.

Shovel Snow Wisely. Take it easy when you shovel snow to avoid back injury and prevent a heart attack.

• Push, rather than lift, snow when possible.
• If the snow is wet and heavy, lift smaller loads.
• Avoid overheating: Take frequent breaks and drink water often to replace fluid and minerals lost by sweating.

Use Snow Removal Equipment Wisely.

• Check equipment, such as snow blowers, before use to make sure they are functioning properly and that safety guards are in place.
• Don’t test gasoline-powered equipment indoors because of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Do a thorough walk-around inspection of plows and other mobile equipment to check for damage or safety issues, and to be sure there are no obstruc­tions in the machinery’s path.
• Keep people away from the area where you start or operate the machine. Shift into neutral and make sure all clutches are disengaged before starting the engine.
• When using snow blowers or walk-behind snow plows, move carefully so you don’t slip, and keep a firm hold on the machine. Stay away from the dis­charge opening, and make sure others stand clear, to prevent entanglement or being struck by objects pro­pelled by the blades.
• Never put your hand in any part of the equipment while the machine is running. First turn off the engine, wait for all moving parts to stop, then unplug the spark plug. Use a tool, never your fin­gers or hands, to remove any snow or ice buildup.

— Safety and Environmental Performance Management,
Employee Resource Management, 12-20-07

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