Snow blowers have made winter in this region a bit less work. The machines are a convenience that saves time and effort.
Like lawnmowers before them, snow blowers are easy to use – so much so that we can get a little inattentive around them.
The high-power snow blowers are kind of impressive, at first. That big auger churning the snow up at the front is a warning sign in itself. You wouldn’t put your hand in it when it’s at work. Yet, hands and other body parts get caught in the business end of snow blowers every year.
Operators tend to use shovels, branches or other “tools” to attempt to clear the auger. When they do this while the auger is in motion, it can grab the branch or tool. Sometimes in this situation, the operator gets pulled into the mechanism as well.
Whether the snow blower is high or low power, the best practice for clearing jams at the auger, as well as at the ejection shoot, is to turn the snow blower off before you try to clean it.
Scarves and other loose-fitting clothing worn while clearing snow can also contribute to accidents. They quickly become tangled in the machinery. Stay warm, but only wear snug-fitting clothes when you’re clearing the snow. While your at it, put on some anti-slip steel-toed boots.
In larger snow-clearing operations like the ones we’ve had so far this winter, the snow blower can run out of gas part-way through your job. Adding gas to the machine is another situation where you need to shut it off first. In fact, you need to give the snow blower time to cool down. Adding gas to a hot or running engine has been known to cause fires.
If you have to take a break yourself or step away from the machine, even if it’s only for a second, you can prevent an accident by turning off the snow blower. It only takes a moment for a child or a pet to wander into the path of the equipment.
One final note question on the topic of snow blowers for you: Have you ever pulled the snow blower backwards over a particularly stubborn patch of snow? No one ever plans to fall, but if you do fall while pulling the machine backwards it could land on you. Snow blowers should always be pushed for just this reason.
Operating the snow blower safely might take a little more effort. Just remember, the machine is a tool that helps with the physical labour of snow removal: using a snow blower is still tough work that requires your effort and attention.
Stay safe!
