Safe Snow Shoveling Age in Oregon: Tips for Clearing Winter Storms

As many areas in Oregon experience snowfall this week, locals should be ready to clear snow quickly, ideally within 24 hours after a storm concludes.

In Oregon, cities like Salem, Eugene, Portland, Corvallis, and Bend enforce snow removal regulations that mandate property owners to clear sidewalks and driveways of snow and ice.

However, this task can pose risks and may not be safe for everyone.

According to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, approximately 200,000 adults visited emergency rooms due to snow shoveling injuries from 1990 to 2006, resulting in over 1,600 fatalities.

What is the appropriate age for snow shoveling in Oregon?

Individuals aged 45 and older should exercise caution, as advised by a spokesperson for the American Heart Association. This advice extends to those with conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, or high cholesterol, as well as individuals who smoke, lead sedentary lifestyles, or are overweight.

If you fall into any of these groups, it may be wise to hire a professional for snow removal.

If hiring help isn’t an option, consider the following strategies to minimize physical strain while shoveling.

5 tips to make snow shoveling safer

Take breaks while shoveling instead of doing it all at once. “If substantial snow accumulation is forecasted, shovel every few hours as the snow falls instead of waiting until the storm has passed,” suggested a Reddit user.
Push the snow instead of lifting it. This method is easier with lighter snow. Stand straight and push the snow to where you want to dispose of it. You can use the back of the shovel to kick off the snow, which helps reduce bending, as a Redditor advised.
Use an ergonomic shovel. “Those uniquely shaped bent-handle shovels are great for protecting your back,” noted one Redditor.
Utilize a leaf blower. “Leaf blowers can be surprisingly effective, especially with favorable wind conditions.” This can help lessen the snow accumulation before finishing the job with a shovel, particularly with drier snow.
Consider using a snowblower. Operating a snowblower elevates your heart rate to around 120 beats per minute, compared to 170 beats per minute when shoveling, according to the American Heart Association.

How to improve your snow shoveling efficiency in Oregon

Here are additional tips from Reddit users to streamline your shoveling process:

“Apply cooking spray to the shovel blade; the snow slides off easily.”
“Keep the shovel cold to help the snow slide off effortlessly.”
“Shovel as early as you can and let the sun do some of the work afterward.”
“Opt for a plastic shovel; it glides significantly better over concrete or asphalt compared to aluminum.”
“Angle the shovel at a diagonal to minimize snagging on concrete cracks.”
Clear snow soon after it falls, especially before driving on your driveway. This helps prevent the snow from getting compacted, which makes removal more challenging and can lead to icy spots.