Hand Surgeons Urge Snowblower Safety this Winter

Rosemont, IL (PRWEB) January 5, 2005

The American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) recommends that individuals take the proper precautions to prevent hand-related injuries while removing snow this winter. Each year, thousands of people suffer maiming or amputations of their fingers or hands due to improper handling of snowblowers.

”Snowblower injuries are usually very serious, often requiring delicate surgery followed by weeks or even months of rehabilitation,” said David M. Lichtman, MD, President-Elect 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 snowblowers. However, some of the old snowblowers, 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 accidents. Of those injuries, approximately 3,000 involved hands and fingers, including 283 finger amputations.

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, apply 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.

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: http://www.handcare.org.

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