SNOW BLOWER SAFETY
- 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. When operating an electric snowblower, begin nearest the electrical outlet and work outward to minimize the chance of running over the power supply cord.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 best way to prevent accidents is to avoid clogging the chute of an operating snowblower. 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.
- Resist the temptation to put your hand into the auger or discharge chute. 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. Once cleared, tension built up by the plug could trigger rotation.
- 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.
- Shut off equipment before making repairs or mechanical adjustments. Always shut off the engine and remove the spark plug wire to prevent injuries.