Brush Up on Snowblower Safety

Snowblowers/throwers, whether they self-propelled walk-behind units or mounted on tractors or skidsteers, are an integral component to a snow fighters arsenal of snow and ice removal tools.

And the whirling paddles, augers and blades that move the snow off the pavement have tremendous power that is often overlooked or forgotten when breakdowns or jams occur in the field. Accidents and serious injury can be prevented by practicing safety and observing the following precautions: 

• Inexperience causes accidents. Make sure your snow crew has proper instruction on how to operate snowblowers and troubleshoot and problem. Always adhere to a strict safety training program for all snow and ice removal tools used in the field. 
• Coming in contact with the turning blades inside the discharge chute is the most common cause of injuries associated with snowblowers. 

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• Accidents occur most often when the discharge chute clogs with wet, heavy snow. You can't see the whirling blades down in the chute because snow covers the blades. If you use your hand or a stick to remove the clog, the blades could strike the stick or your hand. In either case, injury can occur. 
• Stop the engine before cleaning foreign objects or snow from the equipment. Know how to stop the engine or the throwing unit quickly in case a problem arises. 
• The best way to prevent accidents is to avoid clogging the chute of an operating snowblower. If plugging does occur, resist the temptation to put your hand into the auger or discharge chute because the tension built up by the plug could trigger rotation upon clearing. 
• Proper clothing and footwear are essential. Heavy clothing provides warmth, but reduces mobility and may reduce your field of vision. Maneuvering on snow and ice can be difficult for both the operator and snowblower. According to university studies, there is a correlation between accidents and difficulty in moving while operating snow removal equipment. About one-fifth of the injury victims lost their footing and accidentally stuck their hands into the discharge chute while trying to steady themselves. 
• Maintain and use the "continuous operator," or dead-man controls. You must hold these controls continuously for the auger and drive train to be engaged. The snowblower halts if the operator slips and falls or releases the controls for any reason. The machine will stop and contact with moving parts will be avoided. Snowblowers certified by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (indicated by a triangular sticker) have this feature. 
• Clear the area of any debris before you begin snow removal. It will save time and prevent injuries. Don't forget that some machines can send snow flying 30 feet and small, solid objects, such as stones or ice, up to 75 feet. When clearing a gravel area, don't try to remove all the snow. Set the blades about an inch above the gravel.
• Plan a route before you start. Before snow falls, mark or make a map of the areas that need snow removed. Note manhole covers, stumps, banks, curbs, large rocks, small shrubs and other obstructions that may be undetected beneath a layer of snow. Start on the windward side of the area to be cleared and work across the wind, throwing snow with the wind. The wind will help disperse the snow and prevent it from settling on cleared areas.
• Always clear snow up and down the face of slopes, not across the face. Use extreme caution when changing direction on slopes. A good rule of thumb is not to attempt to clear anything steeper than a 35 percent slope (or 19.3 degrees). Any slope with 3.5 feet rise in 10 ft. is too steep to clear safely.
• Do not exceed the snowblower's capacity. The snowblower works most efficiently when operated at a smooth travel speed and fed a continuous ribbon of snow. Avoid overloading the engine, and keep the blades moving rapidly. If the blades are slowed, the in-feed capacity may be too great, causing inefficient operation, clogging and potential problems.
• Shut off equipment before making repairs or mechanical adjustments. Always shut off the engine and remove the spark plug wire to prevent injuries. Never leave the equipment running unattended because it could be stolen or involved in an accident.
• Handle gasoline with care. Keep in mind these basic tips for handling flammable materials:
• Use an approved fuel container for storage. 
• Don't remove the fuel cap or add gasoline to a running or hot engine.
• Only fill the fuel tank outdoors. 
• Wipe up any spilled gasoline. 
• Keep both the snowblower and fuel away from open flames and sparks.
• Clean off excess slush and lubricate the drive train prior to storage. To prevent possible freeze-up of the rewind starter, pull the starter rope hard with a continuous full arm stroke three or four times while the engine is still running. Pulling the starter rope produces a clattering sound, but is not harmful to the engine or starter. These tips will make the snowblower easier to start and use the next time.