Archive

Holiday Safety: Tip No. 13

Dec. 19, 2000

Shoveling snow the wrong way can wreak havoc on the musculoskeletal system, said the American Chiropractic Association.

Shoveling snow the wrong way can wreak havoc on the musculoskeletal system, said the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). If the weather forecast in your area looks like you will be out with the shovel this winter, ACA suggested the following tips for safe snow shoveling:

If you must shovel snow, be careful. Listen to weather forecasts so you can get up early and have time to shovel before work.
Layer clothing to keep your muscles warm and flexible.
Shoveling can strain "de-conditioned" muscles between your shoulders, in your upper back, lower back, buttocks and legs. So, do some warm-up stretching before you grab that shovel.
When you do shovel, push the snow straight ahead. Don''t try to throw it. Walk it to the snow bank. Avoid sudden twisting and turning motions.
Bend your knees to lift when shoveling. Let the muscles of your legs and arms do the work, not your back.
Take frequent rest breaks to take the strain off your muscles. A fatigued body asks for injury.
Stop if you feel chest pain, or get really tired or have shortness of breath. You may need immediate professional help.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

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EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.