| Snowblower injuries are usually very serious, often requiring delicate surgery followed by weeks or even months of rehabilitation |
"Snowblower injuries are usually very serious, often requiring delicate surgery followed by weeks or even months of rehabilitation," said David M. Lichtman, MD, of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Most snowblower operators aren't aware that the impeller is only two inches below the opening of the discharge tube. Also keep in mind that many snowblowers are in use today that were manufactured before safety regulations were mandated. Misuse of these machines could be lethal."
In the early 1970s, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) passed regulations to require manufacturers to include a deadman's control or a kill switch on snow blowers. However, some of the old snow blowers, with neither a deadman's control nor an m-wire, are still in circulation today.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), two-thirds of snowblower injuries involve fingers, and--among consumer products--snowblower misuse is a leading cause of finger amputations. In a 1999 study, 3,546 injuries were found to be snow-blower related (but not necessarily product-caused) accidents. Of those injuries, approximately 3,000 involved hands and fingers, including 283 finger amputations. With proper safety techniques, you can stay away from the hospital.
To prevent hand injuries, the ASSH suggests the following safety tips if your snowblower jams:
• Turn it OFF!
• NEVER put your hand down the chute or around the blades.
• Disengage clutch.
• Wait five seconds after shutting machine off to allow impeller blades to stop rotating.
• ALWAYS use a stick or broom handle to clear impacted snow. Never use your hand.
• Keep all shields in place. DO NOT REMOVE the safety devices on the machine.
• Keep hands and feet away from all moving parts
• Keep a clear head, concentrate, and DO NOT DRINK before using your snowblower!
Should you cut your finger or hand, bleeding from minor cuts will often stop on their own by applying direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. If continuous pressure does not slow or stop the bleeding after 15 minutes, an emergency room visit may be required. Other reasons to visit an ER are to update your tetanus protection, if necessary, or to check for tendon or nerve injury if motion or sensation (feeling) is lost in the finger.
For more information about the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and its free "Find a Hand Surgeon" service offered to the general public, please visit: www.handcare.org.
The mission of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand is to advance the science and practice of hand surgery through education, research and advocacy on behalf of patients and practitioners.
The field of hand surgery deals with both surgical and non-surgical treatment of conditions and problems that may take place in the hand or upper extremity (from the tip of the hand to the shoulder). Hand surgeons can set fractures, provide appropriate nerve care, treat common problems like carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow, reattach amputated fingers, create fingers for children born with incompletely formed hands, and help people function better in their day-to-day lives through restoring use of their fingers, hands, and arms.
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