Snow and Ice Removal Safety Massachusetts Healthcare Self-Insurance Group, Inc. S afety A wareness F or E veryone from Cove Risk Services © BLR ® —Business

Snow and Ice Removal Safety

Massachusetts Healthcare Self-Insurance Group, Inc.

Safety Awareness For Everyone from Cove Risk Services

© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources


Session Objectives

Recognize snow and ice removal hazards

Inspect equipment properly and use it safely

Avoid slips, trips, and falls

Shovel and lift safely to prevent back injuries

Remove snow safely from roofs

Understand and prevent cold-related illness


Prequiz: How Much Do You Know?

No special preparation is necessary to remove snow and ice safely.

It’s safe to clear a clog from a snowblower chute with your hand if you’re wearing gloves.

Back injuries are a common hazard of snow and ice removal operations.

You should wear a hat while working outdoors in cold weather because a lot of body heat is lost if your head is uncovered.



Hazards

– Equipment– Slips, trips,

and falls– Back injuries– Noise


Hazards (cont.)

– Overexertion– Poor visibility– Fatigue– Cold


Preoperation Safety Procedures

– Vehicles– Plows– Blowers– Spreaders– Communication

equipment


Preoperation Safety Procedures (cont.)

– Assess conditions– Check for hazards– Review plan of action– Select PPE


Equipment Safety: Plows

– Vehicles/pedestrians– Steering control– Speed– Obstacles– Drop points


Equipment Safety: Blowers

– Clear the area– Direct snow away – Stop the engine before

cleaning– Never use your hands– Work up and down slopes,

not across– Never leave unattended– Handle gas safely


Equipment Safety: Spreaders

– Lifting and loading– Driving– Adjusting– Clearing clogs– Walking


PPE– Eye protection– Hearing protection– Warm clothing– Gloves– Reflective safety

jacket or vest– Waterproof boots– Head protection


When clearing snow from a slope with a snowblower, you should work:

You should inspect snow removal equipment:

Before beginning operations, you should:

To plow safely:

a. Up and down slope b. Across slope face

a. Once a month b. Before each use

a. Check area for hazards b. Take a break

a. Take big bites b. Maintain good steering control

Exercise


Review

Do you understand:– Snow and ice

removal hazards?– Preoperation safety

procedures?– Operating

equipment safely?– PPE?


Driving Safety

– Conditions– Seat belt– Vehicles/pedestrians– Backing up– Darkness


Avoiding Slips, Trips, And Falls– Footwear– Obstacles– Ice– Falling


Shoveling Safety– Stretch– Pace– Think small– Breathe– Balance– Hold shovel close


Shoveling Safety (cont.)

– Push– Lift safely– Avoid twisting– Shovel

stairs safely– Take breaks– Avoid smoking

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1009


Clearing Snow Safely from Roofs

– Weather conditions– Buddy system– Ladder safety– Fall arrest system– Rakes and

shovels



Safe Lifting1. Squat down

2. Pull load close

3. Get a good grip

4. Lift with legs


Working Safely in the Cold:Hypothermia

– Call for help– Remove wet clothing– Give warm

sweet drinks– Move arms

and legs– Do not rub or place

in a warm tub


Working Safely in the Cold:Frostbite

– Move to a warm place

– Do not rub the area– Dry and wrap

the skin– Seek medical

attention


Preventing Hypothermia And Frostbite

– Dress warmly– Wear hat/gloves– Wear insulated boots– Take short breaks– Drink warm

beverages– Eat hearty meals


Other Important Safety Issues

– Visibility– Fatigue– Drugs/alcohol


Before shoveling, you should to loosen up your muscles.

Breathe in when you a shovel of snow and breathe when you throw the snow.

Avoid your body when you throw the snow.

Hold the shovel to your body for best leverage.

Take to allow tired muscles to relax and avoid overexertion.

stretch

lift

twistingclose

breaks

Fill in the blanks.

Exercise

out


ReviewDo you understand:

– Driving safety?– Avoiding slips, trips, and falls?– Shoveling safety?– Clearing roofs safely?– Safe lifting?– Cold-related illness?– Visibility, fatigue, and drugs

and alcohol?


Key Points to Remember

Take proper precautions.

Operate all equipment safely as you have been trained to do and wear appropriate PPE.

Shovel and lift safely.

Dress warmly and watch for signs of cold-related illness and fatigue.

Do not use drugs or alcohol.

Massachusetts Healthcare Self-Insurance Group, Inc.

Safety Awareness For Everyone from Cove Risk Services

Documents

Snow and Ice Removal Safety Massachusetts Healthcare Self-Insurance Group, Inc. S afety A wareness F or E veryone from Cove Risk Services © BLR ® —Business