By Adrian Karver, Regional Safety Manager
Winter is here and it can be a beautiful season. It can also be very risky if you must drive in snow or clear it from your walkways, sidewalks, and driveways. Let’s talk about some of those risks and how to avoid them.
Driving in Snow
While the safest option when it snows is to stay home and not go out on the roads, we do not always have that option. Here are some tips to help keep you safe when driving is winter weather conditions:
- Prepare—Check your vehicle’s tires, brakes, fluids, wiper blades, lights, belts, and hoses to make sure they are in good condition before the start of the winter season. Before leaving home, evaluate the driving conditions by checking weather and traffic.
- See and Be Seen—Before venturing out onto snowy roadways, make sure you’ve cleared the snow off your entire vehicle including all your vehicle’s windows, lights, including brake lights, and turn signals.
- Reduce Speed—Slow down for wet, snowy, or icy conditions; when visibility is poor; or when conditions are changing or unpredictable. Avoid excessive actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle.
- Braking—Stopping on snow and ice without skidding requires extra time and distance. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.
- Avoid Abrupt Maneuvers—Accelerate gradually, merge slowly and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers since sudden movements can cause your vehicle to slide.
- Increase Following Distance—Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and others. Look farther ahead in traffic than you normally do.
- No Cruise Control—Avoid using cruise control in winter driving conditions. You need to be in control of your speed based on road conditions.
- Allow Space for Plow Trucks—If you find yourself behind a snowplow, keep a safe distance behind it and do not pass. Snowplows need lots of space and they can make frequent turns and direction changes. Don’t tailgate or stop too close behind snowplows as they are usually spreading deicing materials while they are plowing.
Safe drivers know the weather, and they know their limits. If the weather is bad, remember: ice and snow, take it slow, or just don’t go!
Shoveling Snow
One winter weather work task that can easily result in injury is snow shoveling. Here are a few reminders to help keep yourself from making a step in the wrong direction during winter weather tasks:
- Prepare—Take time to warm up or properly stretch prior to shoveling. Do not overexert yourself. If you are not used to a heavy physical workload or have health issues, take your time while shoveling snow.
- Dress Appropriately—Wear safety glasses, gloves, warm layered clothing, and footwear that can handle slippery surfaces.
- Shovel Selection—Use an ergonomically friendly snow shovel if possible. While the overall design of snow shovels is basically the same, there are many that have been designed with the human body in mind.
- Technique—Use proper work posture when shoveling. Avoid actions such as rounding your back or twisting when lifting. Always lift with your legs and not with your back. When possible, push the snow out of the way to limit lifting and throwing the snow. Watch your step and ensure you are wearing the proper footwear for the task.
Using a Snow Blower
Snow blowers can be extremely effective when used to clear deep or heavy snow from walkways and driveways, but they come with their own risks to the operator and those around them.
- Prepare—Review your owner’s manual and check your equipment prior to operation. Prepare your fuel, handle it properly, and make sure you have enough on hand for a typical snow event. As mentioned above, make sure to dress appropriately.
- Timing—Only use your snow blower in optimal conditions. That means never operating a snow blower when there is poor visibility or poor lighting.
- Check the Area—Be sure to check the area you intend to clear with your equipment. Items can be hidden under the cover of snow so always check the area you are about to clear first. Doormats, hoses, toys, wire, and other debris can harm either the machine or people if run over by the snow blower.
- Operate Safely—Never put your hand inside the auger or chute. Make sure the blower is off before addressing any clog and use a clean out tool or a stick to remove snow or debris from the snow blower.
- Aim with Care—Aim the chute of your snow blower with care and keep children and pets away while it is in operation. Never throw snow toward cars or people and make sure no one is standing in front of the snow blower.
- Caution on Slopes—Use extreme caution on slopes and hills. Do not attempt to clear steep slopes. Be cautious when changing direction on hills.
Again, winter weather can be beautiful, but it also creates many safety risks. If we take the right steps when we must go out on the roads or clear snow around our homes, we can lessen those risks. Stay safe out there!