Producer Tools Toolbox Talks: #17 Snow Blower Safety

Organization(s):

Canadian Agricultural Safety Association | Association canadienne de sécurité agricole

#17 SNOW BLOWER SAFETY

TALK LEADER INSTRUCTIONS

This is background information ONLY. Be sure to customize your talk to your operation and facilities.

Print copies of this sheet for yourself and each of the participants.
Lead a discussion with your workers about the materials on this sheet at a location that is appropriate to the topic. Be sure to give real life examples whenever possible.
Be open to questions.
Conclude with a brief review of the main points or a summary based on the discussion.
Fill in your operation name, location and the date on your sheet. Have each worker sign your sheet to confirm their attendance.
File your sheet in your worker training records to document the training experience.

CAUTION
Make sure to wear adequate safety gear, including safety glasses, appropriate hearing protection and protective gloves and avoid wearing loose clothing, scarves, jewelry or anything that may get caught in rotating parts.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES / CONTACTS
In case of incident or injury, call 911 or your local emergency services, then me or your supervisor.

MORE RESOURCES
Landscaping – Snow Blower, by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, available at http://www.ccohs. ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/landscaping/ snow_throwers.html

WORK ACTIVITY

Snow is a part of life in the winter. On our farm, we need to make sure that yards and lanes are free from snow so we can effectively and efficiently do our work. Simple maintenance and safety rules on the operation of snow blowers will make sure we get through another winter without equipment breakdowns or injuries.

BACKGROUND

Snow blowers were designed to make snow removal easier. If you use a snow blower it is important to recognize that this machine doesn’t make snow removal risk-free.

Key Points

WE HAVE INTEGRATED STRATEGY STANDARD OPERATING PRACTICES FOR EACH TASK ON OUR FARM, INCLUDING SNOW BLOWER OPERATION.
If you don’t remember them, review them—you can find them: ______________________________

PREOPERATIONAL INSPECTIONS MUST BE DONE PRIOR TO EVERY USE

Make sure all guards and shields are in place. Check bearings, chains, U-joints, etc., and replace any damaged components. Let your supervisor know if any parts are needed.

REMOVE ALL FOREIGN OBJECTS FROM LANEWAYS AND YARDS

Before the first snowflake falls, make sure that all debris is removed from the laneways and yards. Metal, stones and bits of wood travel much further and faster than snow when projected by a blower. Mark lane edges with posts if there is a significant drop-off.

BEFORE STARTING TO CLEAR SNOW, MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN AND PETS ARE INDOORS

In fact, no bystanders of any age should be allowed.

KEEP THE SNOW BLOWER’S CUTTING EDGE TILTED UP SLIGHTLY DURING THE FIRST PASS

By leaving a thin “bed” of snow over cleared areas after the season’s first significant snowfall, you reduce the chances of picking up foreign objects with the snow blower.

Direct the plume of snow away from buildings, vehicles and trees. Plan snow clearing patterns to take advantage of the prevailing wind. While this can be difficult on some days, snow blowing is more efficient and visibility is greatly enhanced when you blow with the wind.

Here are some additional safety tips for operating snow blowers:

If someone approaches your work area, immediately power down the blower and do not restart the blower until the person has moved away and it is safe to do so.

What are some additional Safety Tips for operating snow blowers?

1._____________________________
2._____________________________
3._____________________________