Falls from rooftops after heavy snowfalls: the risks of snow clearing activities

Abstract

Many patients present to emergency departments as a result of falling from a roof while shoveling snow. This study was undertaken to determine whether the frequency of such falls increases after large snowfalls, and to describe associated injuries. We reviewed the records of all patients presenting with cause of injury codes (E-codes) related to a fall: (E882, E881, and E884.9). We compared the frequency with which snow-shoveling related falls from roofs occurred on days with and without snowfalls greater than 12 inches. Fifty-nine patients met inclusion criteria. Patients were more likely to fall from a roof while shoveling snow on days with greater than 12 inches of snow accumulation than on days with less than 12 inches of snow accumulation (12/14 v 2/45, P <.001). Injuries included spinal fractures, extremity fractures, and head injury. These results suggest a need for public service campaigns emphasizing the risks of roof shoveling.