Is Snow Shoveling a Safety Hazard?
Would it shock you to learn that each year, up to 100 people die from shoveling snow, and thousands more are injured? It sure surprised us. This is according to the National Safety Council. From pulled muscles and broken bones to heart attacks and head injuries, snow shoveling is a dangerous household chore. But it doesn’t have to be. If you understand the risks and practice snow-shoveling safety, you can get through even the toughest snowstorm with your health intact. But given these statistics, it seems something we all need to consider.
Snow Shoveling Injuries
A 2011 study compiled statistics from all of the snow-shoveling injuries for the prior 17 years, and the numbers were surprising, to say the least. It found that all age groups were susceptible to injuries and that the activity of snow-shoveling resulted in an average of more than 11,000 emergency room visits annually. Men were more likely to get hurt than women. Of those recorded injuries, children under the age of 15 comprised about 15.3% while those over the age of 55 made up 21.8% of the injured population. This means that over 60% were in the robust age range of upper teens to middle-aged—so no group is excused form these safety needs.
Most injuries involved soft tissues and/or the lower back (i.e. pulled/torn muscles and tendons, cuts, bruises and scrapes). Only a small percentage (6.7%) involved cardiovascular events. Overexertion was to blame in most instances, but falls and actually being struck by the shovel were also to blame. Most patients were seen and released fairly quickly, while a small number had to be admitted. They found that there were approximately 100 snow-shoveling deaths per year.
Who’s at Risk?
Some people are more at risk for cardiovascular events and injury while shoveling snow than others, the American Heart Association warns. Moving heavy snow is physically demanding, and the colder temperatures only serve to make the heart work harder. Added to that is the fact that many people who are otherwise sedentary feel compelled to go out and shovel when they’re not in good enough shape to do the chore. The following are risk factors for snow-shoveling injuries:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Pre-existing heart condition
- High cholesterol
- Over the age of 40
- Balance issues
If you have any of these risk factors, you should take extra care while shoveling snow or ask someone else to do it for you.
Reduce the Risk of a Snow-Related Injury
If you must shovel snow, there are several things you can do to be safer. Don’t eat or smoke before going outside. Be sure to stretch and warm up muscles first, and, when you do get started, begin with the lighter, powdery snow as a warm-up. When you get to areas with heavier snowfall, push the snow off to the side, rather than picking it up. If you must pick it up, lift with the legs, not the back. And, last but not least, do not work until you’re exhausted. Take plenty of breaks and dress in layers that can be shed as you warm up. Try to avoid getting chilled during breaks by going inside.
If you are at greater risk — sedentary, older than 40, smoker and/or history of heart disease — take extra precautions or ask someone to help or do it for you. Paying for a service is much cheaper than a hospital visit.
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