Useful Snow Shovelling Tips
Part of The City of Toronto's snow removal plan includes assisting the elderly and the disabled with task of clearing snow from city sidewalks. If you are a senior or disabled resident of Toronto, the City can manually clear snow from the sidewalk in front of your home in those areas where the service is not provided by machine. For more information on this service and eligibility, visit The City of Toronto website, or call 311.
Manual snow clearing is not available in all areas of Toronto, and this why the City requests all able-bodied residents and business owners in those areas to clear the ice and snow from sidewalks adjacent to their properties within 12 hours of a snowfall.
In the end, clearing the ice and snow from the sidewalk or driveway will make it safer for everyone. Just remember to put safety first.
Snow Shovelling: A Leading Cause of Winter Back Pain
While clearing out the white stuff can be tough for city residents, it has to be done. But before you pick up the shovel, there are some precautions you should take to avoid a heart attack or serious back injury. Here’s the scoop on safe snow shovelling.
Back injuries and pulled muscles are among the potential health threats from using poor technique when shovelling snow. While most people recognize that shovelling snow is
hard work and can put severe stress on your heart, fewer people recognize the stress and strain that it places on the low back.
According to the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA), shovelling the snow can require as much energy as running 15 kilometres per hour. Although 15 minutes of snow shovelling benefits a healthy heart, most people do not realize that shovelling wet snow is like picking up heavy weights. One full shovel-load of wet snow can weigh as much as 25 pounds.
Shovelling can be made even more difficult by the weather. Cold air makes it harder to work and breathe, which adds some extra strain on the body. Cold, tight muscles are more likely to strain than warm, relaxed muscles.
Some safe shovelling tips from the CPA:
- Choose a shovel that’s right for you – A shovel with an appropriate length handle is correct when you can slightly bend your knees, bend forward 10 degrees or less, and hold the shovel comfortably in your hands at the start of the shovel stroke. A plastic shovel blade will be lighter than a metal one, putting less strain on your spine. Sometimes, a smaller blade is better than a larger one.
- When you grip the shovel, make sure your hands are at least 12 inches apart. This will increase your leverage and reduce strain on your body.
- Lift the snow properly – Squat with your legs apart, knees bent and back straight. Lift with your legs. Do not bend at the waist.
- Step in the direction in which you are throwing the snow – This will help prevent the low back from twisting and “next-day back fatigue” experienced by many shovellers;
- Take frequent breaks when shoveling – Stand up straight and walk around periodically to extend the low back.
- Dress warmly to conserve your body temperature. Wear proper footwear with good tread to help avoid slipping or falling;
- If you have a health problem or are not in good shape, do not even consider snow shovelling.
