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Snow Blower Safety

A snow blower is a powerful machine with moving parts that can injure quickly. Treat it with the same respect as any farm implement.

Why are snow blowers dangerous?

The auger and impeller are designed to move heavy snow, and they do not distinguish between snow and a hand or foot. Injuries usually occur when someone tries to clear a clog while the machine is still capable of moving.

Cold, wet hands, tired operators and the urge to finish quickly add to the risk. Slow down and stay patient, especially in heavy, wet snow.

Even experienced operators get hurt, often on the last pass of a long morning when patience runs thin. Build in a stopping point so that fatigue does not decide how the job ends.

Where should you start?

Read the operator's manual before use, every season. It explains the controls, safety devices and clearing procedures for your specific model, and it is the authority on how to use it.

If you borrow or buy a used machine, find the manual from the manufacturer. Make sure shields and safety devices are in place and working, and do not defeat them.

Ask the dealer or your extension office about training if you are new to the equipment.

• Read the manual each season
• Check shields and guards
• Never bypass safety devices
• Keep the manual with the machine

What about clogs and jams?

Clogs are the most common time for injury. The manual describes how to clear a jam safely for your machine, and you should follow it exactly. Do not rely on a general rule or memory.

Shut the machine off as the manual directs and wait until all parts have fully stopped before you do anything else. Use only the tools the manufacturer provides for this purpose.

A common mistake is to treat a clog as a quick fix. A few seconds of rushing is exactly when people are hurt, so make a habit of walking away, shutting down and reading the manual's steps.

How do you protect bystanders?

Keep children, pets and helpers away from the work area. Operators may not see someone behind or beside the machine, and the discharge can throw snow and debris with force.

Aim the chute away from people, roads, buildings and animals. Be careful of items hidden in snow, such as rocks, toys, newspapers and wires.

If you share a machine with family members, make sure each person has been shown how it works and has read the manual. Young people should not operate one without proper age-appropriate guidance and supervision.

• Chute aimed away from people and animals
• Check for hidden objects in snow
• Keep helpers behind the operator's view

What clothing and conditions matter?

Wear clothing that fits closely and avoid loose scarves, drawstrings and dangling items that could catch. Use footwear with good traction and take care on slopes and icy ground.

Work in good light, take breaks and do not operate when you are very tired. Ask your clinician whether heavy snow work is safe for you if you have a health condition.

Before each season, service the machine as the manual directs, and have a qualified technician handle repairs. Fresh fuel, working controls and intact guards make the job safer.

• Close-fitting clothing
• Good traction footwear
• Daylight or good lighting

What about fuel, electric and exhaust hazards?

Fuel handling, hot engines and exhaust require care. Follow the manual's directions for fueling and storing, and never run a gas engine in an enclosed space because of carbon monoxide.

Corded electric models have their own hazards from cords and wet conditions, so follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Store fuel only in approved containers, away from heat and living areas, and let the engine cool before refueling. The manual and your local fire department can explain what is appropriate.

Where can you learn more?

The machine manufacturer, extension programs, OSHA and the National Weather Service publish winter safety information. For injuries, call 911 in an emergency and seek medical care.

Employers should confirm requirements for equipment training with OSHA and their state agency.

If an injury occurs, call 911 right away and follow the dispatcher's instructions. Prompt medical care matters for any injury involving machinery.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.