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| Snow
Blower | Thrower Safety |
The Consumer Product Safety Commission
reports that each year, approximately 5,740 hospital emergency
room-related injuries are associated with snow blowers. These
include more than 600 finger amputations and death due to several
factors including getting caught in the machine.
Snow thrower
manufacturers have done an impressive job at integrating safety features
into their snow throwers but the reality is, you're essentially
dealing with exposed
parts that are sharp and moving very fast. A snow thrower's only
task
is to grab and throw and it's not particular what it grabs or what
it throws. It's up to the operator to operate the snow blower in a safe manner
for their own personal safety as well as the safety of others.
| Here are some of the safety tips you should
know before starting your snow thrower. Make sure
to check any documentation that came with your snow blower for
safety warnings regarding your particular unit and snow blowing in
general |
Read the operator's / owner's manual and
know the controls of your machine. Know how to control your snow
thrower and be able to shut it off quickly in an emergency.
Don't disable your
snow thrower's “operator presence control” system. The operator
presence control is an important safety feature intended to
stop the machine when the user lets go of the controls.
Never
put your hands, feet, or any body part inside the snow thrower's
chute for any reason. If the chute gets clogged with snow, slush or
any other object turn it off, wait for all moving parts to
come to a complete stop and only then clear the chute with a long stick.
Don't operate you snow thrower if you are using medication,
drugs or alcohol. You need to be alert for the safe operation of the
machine.
Don't wear any kind of loose fitting cloths including
scarfs, they can get caught in the machine and drag you into it.
Use extreme caution when clearing snow from mild slopes. Do not
use a snow blower on steep slopes.
Keep people and pets away
from the area where you are snow blowing.
Adjust the runners on
the bottom of the snow blower (if available) to keep the augers from
picking up loose driveway materials such as gravel or crushed rock.
Wear appropriate safety gear including safety glasses and hearing
protection.
Be aware of traffic when operating near the end of
your driveway or along sidewalks.
Be on the alert for unexpected
objects such as rocks, firewood, dog bones etc. They may be covered
in snow, so extra caution should be used.
When putting the
machine in reverse gear, make sure to look down and behind you as
you back up.
Don't use your snow thrower unless all
the guards and safety features are in place and working properly.
Never operate a snow blower when visibility or lighting is poor
Disengage the auger when travelling between work areas.
Always turn off the engine and remove the key before leaving the
unit unattended.
If you feel unusually substantial vibrations, stop the
engine and let it cool down - remove the spark plug wire before
inspecting the snow thrower. Your machine may be damaged and need
repair.
When filling your snow blower with gasoline, remember
to use an approved gas container and clean up any spills that may
have occurred during fuelling. Don't smoke while fuelling or fuel
near sparks, a hot engine or when the engine is running.
Operating a
snow blower can be safe and enjoyable if done with extreme caution.
Make every season a safe one and enjoy your new machine!
Tips For Choosing The Snow Thrower | Blower That's Right For You.
Keep Your
Snow Thrower | Blower Performing Like New.
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