By irenen1 on February 11th, 2010
The Big Shovel Out
Shovelling snow, sand, or dirt is akin to weight lifting. Protect your back.
In light of our east coast blizzard and my need to procrastinate the task at hand, this is the time to review safe shovelling practices to save your back.
Back injury is the number one result of shovelling incorrectly. Heart attack is number two. There is no time to do anything about your heart health. Pace your activity if you get winded.
Any back injury may come back to haunt you in later years so ignorance is not an option. It is important to learn the proper technique to handling a shovel.
- Make sure handle is long enough for you.
- Spray blade with cooking oil.
- Always bend your knees so you are not lifting with your back but rather with your leg muscles.
- Wear a support belt to prevent hernia.
- Take frequent breaks.
- Stay hydrated.
- Dress in layers. Wear a hat and gloves.
- Don’t overlook sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Keep shovel blade sharp.
- Succumb to the holy temptation and hire a professional.
Your personal health is one of your best assets. Protect it.
If you would also like to take the Triond writing challenge, join today and visit the forum: Click HERE.
5
Liked it
Liked it
Tattoo3658we | Feb 11, 2010 | Reply
- lol – 15th time I’ve had to shovel this year
. It really is a good work out, especially when it’s back to back days, after work and before 
Safety first!!! The only real problem I have, “I’m still young” is my eyes are really light, if I don’t wear protection, it’s hard to see when I go back in my house and everything looks fuzzy for a few minutes, and if I have to go back out side, I almost become blind.
Ajsta
chellsy | Feb 11, 2010 | Reply
great post!keep sharing
mkd1788 | Feb 11, 2010 | Reply
you provide us very useful info…good job..
AlmaG | Feb 11, 2010 | Reply
Fantastic tips!
seema1962 | Feb 13, 2010 | Reply
Very useful tips.
S A JOHNSON | Feb 15, 2010 | Reply
^_^ nice work.
qasimdharamsy | Feb 15, 2010 | Reply
useful post…keep it up….
Darla Cooke | Feb 15, 2010 | Reply
Very good article. Thanks for sharing.
Rod Ferrandino | Feb 15, 2010 | Reply
shovelling snow has provided myriad workout opportunities this year, but I’d rather be playing hoops, lol.
maranatha | Feb 16, 2010 | Reply
Cute! I like the way you worked it in.
oldster | Feb 16, 2010 | Reply
Good advice Irenin.
Luckily I don’t have much to shovel.
Duff D Moss | Feb 18, 2010 | Reply
I like the last option
In seriousness I would add, don’t try and pick too much up in a shovel full. Us blokes can get a bit stupid with such things, and even though it is slightly quicker, we end up damaging ourselves.