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Snowblowing Sense

Test your snowblowing I.Q. on this flurry of questions.

1. When purchasing a snowblower you should buy:

a. the most expensive machine, since it should be the safest.
b. a machine approved by CSA International.
c. the machine of your choice, since the federal government monitors snowblower safety.

2. When you fuel a snowblower, fill the gas tank only when the engine is:

a. hot, so that the fuel will heat quickly and prevent stalling.
b. cool and not running.
c. running.

3. The best way to manoeuvre a snowblower is by:

a. pushing or pulling, depending on your preference.
b. pushing through deep snow, pulling through light snow.
c. pushing it only.

4. What is the most common type of injury related to snowblowing?

a. Frostbite caused by blowing snow.
b. Mangled or detached fingers from cleaning the auger.
c. Inhalation of gas while refueling.

5. What ground clearance should you give your snowblowing machine when clearing snow from an area of gravel or crushed rock?

a. 2.5 cm above ground level.
b. B. the machine should be clearing at ground level so pedestrians can walk safely on the exposed gravel.
c. it doesn't matter since snowblowers seek their own level of clearance.

6. When the ejection chute of a snowblower is blocked with snow, how should you clear it?

a. shut off the engine and clear out the snow.
b. lean the snowblower on its side and melt the blockage with a pail of warm water.
c. continue to use the snowblower, since the blockage will break up as new snow is forced in behind it.

7. If you must leave your machine unattended, it is best to:

a. leave it running, rather than allow the engine to cool down.
b. put the machine in neutral and park it against a solid object in case it slips into gear.
c. turn the machine off.

8. Before servicing a gasoline powered snowblower, you should disconnect the:

a. gear cable.
b. fuel line.
c. spark plug wire.

9. Snowblowers can produce noise of up to 90 decibels. How important is hearing protection?

a. not important to an adult, since 90 dB can cause hearing damage only in children.
b. not important, since only noise in the 200 dB range can cause hearing damage.
c. quite important, since repeated exposure to noise of 80 dB can cause permanent hearing loss.

10. The most dangerous article of clothing to wear while using a snowblower is:

a. a helmet.
b. steel-toed boots.
c. a long scarf.

Safety Canada
(January 2001)

Winter Safety