Snowblower Safety-Statistics Regarding Snow blower Injuries

Snowblower Safety - Statistics Regarding Snow blower Injuries

Precious fingers, arms, toes, and even your life are at serious risk when operating a snow blower or thrower. Safety cannot be emphasized enough ... the purpose of this equipment is to make life easier not to take it away.
There are many statistics to look at when discussing snow blower operation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim 5300 emergency visits and 1,000 amputations a year. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission's statistics reveal as many as 4,387 hospital emergency room visits in 2001.

Although statistics may vary, the fact still remains that these injuries occur, more often than people realize. Fatalities have also been reported. Among these, several were due to getting caught in a machine, and several were the effect of carbon monoxide poisoning. Again, safety cannot be emphasized enough ...

According to The American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) thousands of injuries related to snowblowers affect fingers and hands each year. These afflictions usually result in very delicate surgeries that then require months of rehabilitation.

Each year the accidents are most common among people who have never operated a snowblower before or by someone who is using it for the first time of the year. Review safety instructions and your operating manual each year. Commonality with most injuries is that they occur when the operator tries to clean out the machine's auger or discharge chute with their hands.

Being struck by objects, other than snow, that are propelled from the discharge chute is another common injury (These items will be thrown farther and harder than the snow). Be sure that all animals, children, and other people are not in the area or that the chute is angled in the opposite direction of them.
Burns from contacting parts of the machine that tend to get hot, such as the muffler or parts of the engine is another common wound.

Here you will find helpful information for the proper operation of your snow blower or thrower. How to clean out wet snow from the augers and discharge chutes without risking your hand. You will also find information on how to respond if you should get injured. All of this information should be read carefully before attempting to remove snow.

Ignorance is your vulnerability. Knowledge is your suit of armor. Be sure to suit up for safe snow blowing every wintry season. Get informed ... Stay Safe ... You will not regret it. The winter season is harsh ... Do not let it be hard on you ...

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