PURPOSE OF SAFETY IN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP

However, repair shop owners and their staff need to ensure the proper safety precautions and
rules are implemented and followed at all times. Safety measures help protect employees
from accidental injuries to themselves, their co-workers, customers, and the vehicles
they are repairing.

Shop Safety
 Everyone must wear safety glasses in a shop environment. Even when
you're not working on a machine, you must wear safety glasses. A chip from a
machine someone else is working on could fly into your eye.  
 Check your clothes and hair before you walk into the shop. In particular, if you
have long hair or a long beard, tie it up. If your hair is caught in spinning
machinery, it will be pulled out if you're lucky. If you're unlucky, you will be
pulled into the machine.   
 No loose clothing. Ties, scarves, loose sleeves, etc. are prohibited.       
o No gloves       
o Remove jewelry   
 Wear appropriate shoes. No open-toed sandals. Wear shoes that give a sure
footing. If you are working with heavy objects, steel toes are recommended.   
 Be aware of what's going on around you. For example, be careful not to bump
into someone while they're cutting with any type of saw.   
 Concentrate on what you're doing. If you get tired, leave.   
 Don't hurry. If you catch yourself rushing, slow down. Don't rush speeds and
feeds. You'll end up damaging your part, the tools, possibly the machine itself,
and maybe yourself.   
 Listen to the machine. If something doesn't sound right, turn the machine off.   
 Don't let someone else talk you into doing something dangerous or disabling a
safety device to do a job faster. It's not worth the risk.   
 Don't attempt to measure a part that's moving.   
 If you don't know how to do something, ASK!   
 Before you start the machine, study it. Know which parts move, which are
stationary, and which are sharp.       
o Double check that your workpiece is securely held.       
o Remove chuck keys and wrenches.   
 Do NOT leave machines running unattended.   
 Clean up machines after you use them. A dirty machine is unsafe and
uncomfortable to work on.   
  Do not use compressed air to blow machines clean. This endangers people's
eyes and can force dirt into machine bearings.

CLEANROOM

Working on vehicles can be a fun, exciting, and rewarding career. However, repair shop
owners and their staff need to ensure the proper safety precautions and rules are implemented
and followed at all times. Safety measures help protect employees from accidental injuries to
themselves, their co-workers, customers, and the vehicles they are repairing. The following is
a list of general safety tips every repair shop should use to keep everyone safe.

 Never smoke in or near repair bays or garages. Vehicles contain flammable and
combustible fluids which can easily be set on fire if a hot ash from a cigar or
cigarette were to come into contact with such materials.
 Keep work areas clean and organized. Pick up tools and use tool cabinets to keep
walkways clear and free from clutter.
 Never wear loose clothing or clothing that is ripped or torn. To prevent employees
from wearing unacceptable attire, it is recommended to obtain customized
uniforms and work apparel from a qualified uniform service company.
 Wear protective gear at all times, as appropriate for the repair. Goggles, gloves,
and ear protection should be worn when making certain types of repairs.
 Make sure fire extinguishers are easily acceptable and appropriate for all potential
fire types. In the event of a fire, extinguishers need to be accessed quickly and be
charged with the right materials to put out the type of fire: i.e., gas, oil, electrical,
and so on.
 Always disconnect the battery when working on electrical systems and
near/around electrical wiring. Even when the vehicle is off, there is still the
potential for current to pass through electrical wiring.
 Never place hands, tools, or other objects near the engine while it is running. The
moving parts and components could cause injury to a person or the vehicle itself.
 Never work underneath a vehicle unless it has been properly supported. Raising
the vehicle off the ground to access the underside requires verifying it is stable,
and that there is no risk of the vehicle falling on top of the mechanic.
 Always remove the keys from the ignition switch. Never leave the key in the ignition
switch, as the key can draw an electrical charge from the battery. Also, avoid
unplugging fuses and wiring harnesses while the key is in the “on” position.
Otherwise, there is a risk of electrical shock, and/or electrical spikes that may damage
electronic parts and wiring.
 Be aware of the vehicle’s temperature before beginning any work. The engine,
manifold, exhaust system, and radiator could be hot and cause skin burns. Plus, the
radiator coolant is still pressurized.

Mechanics work in many different industries including aviation, automotive, commercial,

industrial or residential settings. Some of their main duties are to:

 Install, repair and maintain mechanical systems.

  Prepare cost estimates and documentation for clients.
 Use, clean and maintain various equipment and machines.
 Supervise apprentices or other workers.

What are some health and safety issues for mechanics?

Mechanics work in a variety of settings and may be exposed to several hazards,
including:

 Exposure to chemicals, solvents, solder, and other products.

 Exposure to gasoline or diesel exhaust.
 Risk of electrical shock or burns.
 Fire risk from fuels and other products.
 Burns from battery acid, hot surfaces, exhaust, etc.
 Potentially working in confined spaces.
 Welding hazards, including UV radiation.
 Working with compressed air.
 Working near rotating parts (being caught in or between).
 Working with explosive items, such as air bags.
 Bursting of tires while repairing or installing.
 Extreme temperatures.
 Risk of pain or injury from awkward positions, repetitive manual tasks,
or lifting heavy objects.
 Risk of falling objects (including the vehicle) when working under vehicles, or with
jacks, hoists, or hydraulic lifts.
 Possibility of working at heights.
 Risk of eye injury from flying particles.
 Risk of hand injuries.
 Slips, trips and falls.
 Working with various hand tools, power tools and equipment.
 Stress.
 Shift work or extended work days.
 Working alone.
 Possible exposure to asbestos.
 Exposure to noise.
 Dealing with hostile customers.

What are some preventive measures for mechanics?

 Keep tools and equipment in good working order.
 Work safely with chemicals and related products.
 Use appropriate personal protective equipment for the task, including footwear.
 Keep work areas clear of clutter and equipment.
 Avoid awkward positions, and repetitive tasks, or take frequent breaks.
 Learn safe lifting techniques.
 Follow a recommended shift work pattern, and know the associated hazards.
 Inspect work area before work starts to identify potential hazards and their controls.
 Follow workplace policies and procedures relating to preventing workplace violence
and harassment
Please also see the series of OSH Answers fact sheets on how to work safely in
a garage which includes autobody repair, batteries, fuel safety, hydraulic lifts, inflating tires,
servicing vehicles and other topics.

What are some good general safe work practices?

 Follow correct procedures for:
o Working in a Garage
o Electrical safety
o Lock-out/tag-out
o Confined spaces entry
o Working at heights
o Working with ladders
o Lifting
o Working with hand tools, and power tools
o Fire safety
o Welding and Hot Work
 Use, maintain and store personal protective equipment according to manufacturer's
recommendations.
 Learn about chemical hazards, WHMIS and SDSs.
 Know how to report a hazard.
 Follow good housekeeping procedures.
 Follow company safety rules.

PPE the Automotive Industry

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that companies
protect their workers from general workplace hazards that can cause injury or
illness. Identifying and controlling potential hazards at the source is the most
beneficial way to ensure the workplace is as safe as possible. However, working in
industries where heavy lifting and dangerous machinery is present, OSHA also
requires employers to provide personal protective equipment to keep any outlying
hazards from hurting employees.

The OSHA general industry PPE standards that outline employer obligations, which
can be found online at www.osha.gov, are as follows:

 Performing a hazard assessment of the workplace to identify and

control physical and health hazards
 Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees
 Training employees in the use and care of the PPE
  Maintaining PPE, including replacing worn or damaged PPE
 Periodically reviewing, updating, and evaluating the effectiveness of
the PPE program
While PPE is needed for all industries—construction, manufacturing,
transportation, etc.—the automotive industry must take careful PPE precautions
because of the dozens of potential hazards present at the automotive plants. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics reported1 in 2011 that "workers in the automobile and
light duty motor vehicle manufacturing industry experience higher rates of injury
and illness than do workers in most other industries."

The most crucial PPE components that matter most for the automotive industry in
particular are:

Foot Protection
Foot protection comes in many forms, as workers have to protect themselves
against metatarsal breakage and plantar fascia strain. Metatarsal breakage can
occur when working in an auto plant because workers are constantly expected to
perform repetitive tasks, including heavy lifting and operating dangerous
machinery. All of these actions can lead to heavy machinery and objects falling on
one’s foot and shattering the metatarsals and phalanges.

Eye and Face Protection

Because auto plant workers are around molten metal, liquid chemicals, and flying
particles from welding, eye and face protection are extremely vital. The first step in
avoiding this is for employers to engineer administrative controls in these
environments, such as using machine guards and shields between workstations or
around specific machines. While these barriers can help initially, it is still important
for all employees who work around these materials to have protective goggles or
faceshields if they are working in direct contact with the material.

Hearing Protection
One of the most overlooked PPE items across all industries is hearing protection.
Workers at an auto plant may be exposed to extremely loud noises on a daily basis,
which can likely result in hearing impairment. To best combat this, companies must
start at the source. Start by enclosing loud machinery within a sound-insulated
barrier and installing anti-vibration machine mountings when possible. If isolating
these machines is not an option, other means include: installing panels with noise
dampening material throughout the workspace, fitting silencers to exhaust
systems, or providing acoustic screens. Regularly scheduled maintenance is also
important to ensure equipment is running smoothly and not making unnecessary
noises.
Protective Apparel
Auto plant workers are exposed to a variety of harsh environments that require all-
over protective gear. Employers should provide the following PPE apparel: aprons,
coveralls, coats, pants, hats, hoods, sleeves, gloves, and totally encapsulating
chemical protective suits.

When deciding what apparel to purchase, it is important to select clothing based

upon its ability to resist different agents, such as flames, chemicals, and sharp
objects.

In general, there are several types of fabric to defer to when buying PPE apparel:

 Wool—fire resistant and comfortable

 Leather—protects against flames and dry heat
 Heavy fabrics—puncture resistant, protects against heavy and sharp
materials
 Rubber—protects against chemicals

Beyond providing the correct type of apparel, it is also important to specify that
workers avoid wearing dangling jewelry or loose-fitting clothing and not wear their
hair long.

One key component of health and safety practices is the use of PPE, as it is one of
the only defenses against workplace hazards. The first thing a company must
complete to ensure the highest safety standard is a hazard assessment. Once all
hazards are determined, the correct protective equipment can be decided on.
However, providing the proper PPE is only the first step. If employees don't know
when or how to use it, the items are useless.

Training workers is vital in making sure the PPE is doing its job in protecting the
users. The training should include educating workers on: when protection is
necessary, how to properly wear and adjust the protective items, the limitations,
and proper care and maintenance. It is important that employers constantly
provide and educate their employees on PPE because when a machine
malfunctions or a human error is made, the added protection aids in reducing
injury and can even prevent death