There seems to be a winter theme to our blog posts. Not surprising, given the time of year. And remember that March is one of the snowier months.
Choosing a snow shovel, or a shovel for any purpose, may not appear to be a safety related issue, but it is in terms of ergonomics. As with any tool, it is important to pick the right one for the job. When choosing a shovel, consider how you are going to use it, the type of load you need to move (light, fluffy snow or the heavy, wet stuff), and your own height. If you are very tall, a shorter handled (shaft), “ergonomic” shovel (the kind with a bend in the handle), may not work well for you.
Popular Mechanics has a good article explaining the different types of shovels and on what type of snow they will work best.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has an article on things to consider for shovels for any use (for example, digging dirt, which is rumored to lie beneath the snow).