Removing snow and ice from your driveway is no easy task. In fact, there were over 11,500 snow shovel-related injuries from 1990 to 2006. If you’re going to tackle snow removal on your new driveway construction, protecting your body from physical injury should be your main goal. The list below offers some tips to get you through the coldest season of the year.

How to Remove Snow Safely

1. When to Shovel

If the snow is piling up and you’re wondering when to start the removal process, shovel after every two or three inches if you want to prevent it from collecting on your new driveway construction. Or, wait until the snow stops falling and only remove as much as you’re comfortable lifting.

2. Proper Lifting

If you’re going to use a shovel, try to push the snow instead of lifting it. This way, you’ll put less strain on your shoulders, back, and legs. If you do lift the snow, remember to stabilize your body and bend your knees—not your waist—as you lift. You should also scoop small amounts at a time instead of attempting to fill the entire shovel.

3. Don’t Walk or Drive on the Snow

When you compress the snow by walking or driving on the surface, it makes the snow harder to remove. Packed snow forms ice that becomes more difficult to chip away the longer it sits. Avoid parking your vehicle on the snow in your driveway and don’t allow people to walk on it before you finish shoveling or blowing.

Cold weather and moisture accumulation may lead to cracks and potholes in your driveway. If you’d like to schedule driveway construction services for repairs or replacement services, contact GMG General in Anchorage, AK. The driveway construction service provides a wide range of road safety solutions including road patching, paving services, parking lot resurfacing, and asphalt removal. To schedule an estimate, call (907) 349-7854 today to discuss your needs. You can also visit their website for more information.