How do you stay safe when shoveling snow?
Snow Shoveling Safety Tips
- Warm up. Warm your muscles before heading out to shovel by doing some light movements, such as bending side to side or walking in place.
- Push rather than lift.
- Choose your shovel wisely.
- Lighten your load.
- Hit the pause button.
- Consider multiple trips.
- Keep up with snowfall.
- Wear layers.
What is the proper snow shoveling technique movement?
Guidelines to avoid a muscle strain or back injury while shoveling snow include the following: Keep the back straight at all times. Lead with the hips, not the lower back, and push the chest out, pointing forward. Then, bend the knees and lift with the leg muscles, keeping the back straight at all times.
How will you make yourself safe while working with shovel?
Here are a few more tips to help you stay healthy during shoveling season:
- Dress appropriately.
- Use a small shovel that has a curved handle.
- Separate your hands on the shovel.
- Lift with your legs, not your back.
- Shovel frequently.
- Push the snow.
- Pace yourself.
- Stay hydrated.
How do you make snow shoveling easier?
Spray Liberally Before hitting the driveway, apply a generous coat of cooking spray to the front and back of your shovel blade. The lubricant will let snow slide right off the blade, making your job easier in the process.
How do you shovel safely?
6 Tips to Shovel Snow Safely
- Lift smaller loads of snow, rather than heavy shovelfuls.
- Use a shovel with a shaft that lets you keep your back straight while lifting.
- Avoid excessive twisting because the spine cannot tolerate twisting as well as it can tolerate other movements.
- Take frequent breaks when shoveling.
Is snow shoveling good exercise?
As an exercise and health researcher, I can confirm that snow shovelling is an excellent physical activity. It works both your upper and lower body, and these sorts of activities done regularly can reduce your risk for heart disease and premature death.
How do you shovel snow without hurting yourself?
You can avoid pain and injury by following these tips:
- Choose the right shovel. Small shovels make it less likely you’ll pick up more than your body can handle.
- Wear shoes with good treads.
- Warm up.
- Push instead of lifting.
- Lift from your legs.
- Avoid twisting your body.
- Don’t reach.
- Pace yourself.
What exercise is equivalent to shoveling snow?
Pushing and throwing that wet, heavy snow can be comparable to a weight-lifting session or even an aerobic workout on the treadmill. According to LiveStrong, an average person can burn 223 calories per 30 minutes while shoveling snow.
What are the hazards of a shovel?
from one place to another. Shoveling is a strenuous task that can place added stress on a person’s whole body but especially the spine. When using a shovel, a person is lifting and twisting their body which can place a person at risk for disc compressions and strain injuries.
What does shoveling snow do to your body?
What is the proper way to shovel snow?
Hold the shovel correctly. Keep a wide grip on the shovel handle—with one hand near the top of the handle and the other close to the actual shovel full of snow—so that you have better control of the heavy load. Also, keep the shovel as close to your body as possible as you carry it.
What are the best tips for shoveling snow?
Do not shovel after eating or while smoking.
When is the best time to shovel snow?
It is good to shovel very early in the day and it should be done often to prevent snow from building up. When you have a low snow level around, the sun can easily melt it immediately the storm is over. You should not start shoveling immediately after smoking or a meal.
When should I shovel snow?
Start early when snow is just dusting the sidewalk—it’s lightest before it’s packed on. “You want to do this in a gradual fashion,” says Abboud. Shovel periodically, every 3-4 hours, to reduce the strain on your joints, he says.