Any yard machine is only as safe as the operator at the controls.
While modern snow blowers are designed and manufactured to meet or exceed industry standards for safety, equipment that is misused or not properly maintained can result in danger.
But knowing the following basic rules of safe operation is step one in steering clear of accidents and injuries.
Always use common sense.
And if you’re at all uncertain whether the task you’re about to undertake can be safely performed with the equipment you own, ask your local authorized dealer or retailer. They’re every bit as concerned with your safety as you are.
Read Your Manual. Your Operator’s Manual contains critical safety information. It’s important that you read and fully understand the instructions for operating your machine. Proper maintenance is also critical. Make sure to perform all necessary maintenance according to the schedule in your manual, including any required testing of safety systems.
Dress For The Job. Choose warm clothes to guard against exposure—and bundle up especially well when temperatures fall to the subzero range or if you plan to be outdoors for an extended period. Since the extremities (fingers, toes, nose, ears, etc.) are the areas most vulnerable to cold, don’t dispense with a warm hat and mittens or gloves. Wear insulated boots with good traction on the bottom to help you keep upright on icy surfaces.
Gasoline Is Highly Flammable. The vapors are also flammable and can be touched off by surprisingly distant ignition sources.
Fill the fuel tank outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Only fill to the bottom of the fuel tank neck so the fuel will have room for expansion.
Never add fuel to a hot engine—and never, ever add fuel to a running engine. Shut the engine down and let it cool at least two minutes before removing the gas cap.
If fuel gets spilled, clean it up immediately and allow time for any remaining gas to evaporate before starting the engine.
Stored fuel belongs in an approved plastic fuel container with a sealed cap. Keep fuel outside the house and well away from water heaters, space heaters or other ignition sources.
When transporting your snow blower, secure it in an upright position with the tank empty and the fuel shut-off
valve (if equipped) in the ‘off’ position.
Also, periodically check your fuel lines, gas tank, gas cap and fittings for cracks or leaks and replace if necessary.
Carbon Monoxide. Gas-powered snow blowers emit carbon monoxide (CO) as one of the exhaust gases.
Carbon Monoxide is odorless, colorless, tasteless and potentially deadly. Inhaled CO enters the blood stream and restricts the transport of oxygen to vital organs.
Always start your machine outdoors in a well-ventilated area—never inside a garage or shed. Leaving your machine idling in the same spot for extended periods can also risk an accumulation of CO.
If you begin to feel sick, dizzy, or weak, switch off your machine, leave the area and get some fresh air immediately.
Caution: Moving Parts. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the most common snow blower injuries occur while the operator is clearing snow or debris from the augur or discharge chute.
Before you attempt to clear a blockage, always turn off the engine and always make sure the impeller blades have stopped spinning.
And never, ever use your hands for clearing a blockage —instead, use a long broom handle or the clean-out tool that comes with all dual-stage units.
Keep your feet clear, as well. And take care to avoid loose jacket sleeves, loose pant cuffs or long scarves becoming tangled in moving parts. Long hair should be tied up or tucked under a hat.
For snow blowers equipped with recoil starters, always use caution around the starter pull. If handled carelessly, the starter cord may snap back toward the engine faster than you can let go. When starting the engine, pull the starter cord slowly until you feel resistance, then pull rapidly to avoid kickback.
For safety, all modern snow blowers feature operator present or “dead man” controls that require the operator to be in the intended operator’s position for the auger and traction drives to operate — when you release pressure on these controls, the auger and the impeller stop spinning. This system should never be tampered with. To ensure proper functioning of this safety interlock system, you should regularly perform the Safety System Tests found in your Operator’s Manual. If your machine fails any of these tests, see your dealer immediately.
Beware Of Flying Objects. The same spinning impeller that discharges snow can also pick up and throw ice and stones. In order to prevent injury, always direct the discharge chute away from bystanders and property.
The Vision Council, an organization of optical professionals, recommends
