According to a recent US statistics report, there are 13,150 auto mechanics and technicians who experienced occupational injuries and illnesses resulting in valuable time away from work. Some common auto mechanic hazards chance to happen frequently in the automotive workshop. So, here we are trying to be aware of some issues.
Indeed, automotive workshops are very essential for skill trade and auto mechanics are providing these services. They are involved in such an important service having a lot of hazards. In their occupational life now and then they have experienced different types of hazards and resulting in injuries, illnesses, and sometimes more.
Moreover, auto mechanics involves the use of dangerous machinery, chemicals, and tools that are risky for a workplace. Such risk and injury lose their productivity and incur huge medical costs.
So, safety practice is the best policy to minimize risk. Most importantly, here we will mention common mechanic hazards and their preventive strategies.
Common auto mechanic hazards
Slip and fall hazards:
Firstly, It sounds silly but may cause a massive hazard. The auto workshop involves vehicle repair and maintenance. So, most of the workshop floors found water, oil, mobile, grease, chemicals, etc. These slippery floors can cause hazards during movements and works. So, there is no way to take it easy, as there are many serious hazard examples available for this reason.
How to prevent it?
- Specify such works and do them in a specific area
- Do not work on movement space
- If got any fluid of oily on floor instant clean if
- Time to time clean the floor
- Furthermore, use safety boots to prevent falls
Electrical hazards:
Electrical shock hazards also be a risk factor in auto workshops. The electrical components of vehicles, electric wiring, battery function, power tools used may cause an electrical hazard. Auto technicians are familiar with mild shock but sometimes it may dangerous cause of life risks. So, the auto mechanic must know the electric risk factors and maintain safety guidelines.
How to prevent it?
- Before repair, check the power connection status
- Ensure the power connection off during electrical work
- Use rubber gloves to hold batteries and power line
- Do not use the faulty connection for power tools
- Do not work in congested places and keep yourself steady while work
- Never work in an absurd mind
Chemical hazards:
One of the serious hazards may happen for chemical contact. The auto technician often handles hazardous and flammable chemicals in their day-to-day work. Also, vehicle batteries and some components involve chemicals, so always remember it may harmful for internal and external parts of your body.
Moreover, some chemicals are so dangerous, that they cause instant burning. Also, some are flammable and inhalation. So, always be careful for chemical tasks and especially protect your skin and eyes.
How to prevent it?
- Chemicals must contain in a compact pictogram labeled bottle
- Wear PPI when handling chemicals
- Use both hands for chemical works
- Work on leveled place
- Keep away other workers
- Avoid food close to chemical
Lifting hazards:
If you do not use the proper tactics to lift the heavy machinery of the vehicle down, it can be dangerous for you. Carrying excess weight increases the health hazards, and can even cripple permanently. Besides, heavy objects slip down can cause instant physical injury.
In this case, the use of a secure lift and your efficiency are very important. So, do not carry extra weight without mechanical assistance.
How to prevent it?
- Wear PPE when lifting machinery
- Avoid slippery floor
- Learn to lift technics and use a lift
- Take coworker help
- Do not move over 16 kg of weight individually
Power tools hazards:
Sometimes auto technicians might need to operate power tools such as electric metal cutters, angle grinders, Ratchets, Impact wrench, drill, cutter, welding, etc. that increase their risk of losing a limb or digit.
Lack of necessary PPE, insufficient tools usage skills, and careless mistakes cause of frequent accident. So, ensure that these tools are properly maintained and technicians are well trained to operate.
How to prevent it?
- Must wear PPE during risky tools use
- Carefully operate the power tools
- Maintain safe distance
- Firmly hold and operate the tools
- Do not use infected tools
General health hazards:
Besides mechanical hazards, have some common health hazards that auto mechanics and technicians suffer on the job. Such as continuous friction noise, hammering, intense chemical odor, smoke, dust, heat, etc. Such an environment for a long time disrupts their ears, eyes, brain, throat, respiratory, and gradually makes it a health hazard and creates mental stress.
In this regard, if you do not care initially, then it can become dangerous and disable your limbs.
How to prevent it?
- Must wear PPE within the auto workshop
- Take a few short intervals during work
- Be cheerful with your coworker to avoid monotonously
- Spend holidays with family and friends
- Regular physical checkup
Personal protective equipment list (PPE):
The personal protection equipment is a safeguard of workers, which helps them to work safely. Using PPE boosts employees’ confidence and increases productivity. Ultimately, the PPE policy reduces employee health risks and reduces accidents in the workplace.
Different types of PPE can be categorized into the following. Personal protective equipment examples;
Hand protection: Gloves and Barrier creams
Eye protection: Spectacles/ Goggles, Shields, Visors
Hearing protection: Earmuffs and plugs
Foot protection: Shoes/ Boots
Head protection: Helmets, Caps, Hoods, Hats
Skin protection: Hats, Sunburn cream, Long sleeved clothes
Respiratory protection: Air-Purifying Respirators, Disposable, cartridge, airline, Musk
How to avoid hazards in the automotive workshop?
Prevention is better than cure. So, try to a hazard-free workshop by following the automotive shop safety checklist as below. I hope significantly hazards will be reduced and it could be a safe workshop. Besides, individually following the mentioned steps can be effective to avoid auto mechanic hazards.
- Make sure there is enough space for an auto workshop
- Perform specific tasks at the designated place
- Always keep the floor clean and oil-free
- Properly install and use electrical lines
- Ensure adequate light and airflow
- Instruct all workers to use PPE at the workshop
- Seek help from a skilled worker in risky work
- Ensure all employees necessary training and certification
- Inspect the workshop environment by an experienced inspector once a year
- Arrange regular security trials and training once a year
- Discourage inefficient staff to use a power tool
- Aware and encourage health security facts to employees
- Inspect regularly the electricity, gas, water, utility lines
- Do not take risks without sufficient knowledge in all aspects
- Risky tasks strictly prohibited without necessary PPE
- Automotive waste disposal maintain
- Keep a fast aid box in the auto workshop
- Finally, follow the automotive shop safety rules and regulations
Conclusion:
Automotive workshops are providing our vehicle repair and maintenance services in daily life. Also, there are many people who are professionally involved with it including your beloved person. We hope, the auto workshop will be operated with the utmost security to avoid possible auto mechanic hazards.
Therefore, the worker will get a secure workplace and save them from physical and mental hazards. Simply safety practice and awareness can avoid the hazards, so everybody should maintain the organizational safety rules and keep safe yourself.
Furthermore, please feel free to contact or tweet us. On this site we have reviewed some essential hand and power tools, so you can visit, also welcome to our blog. I hope you will be happy, thanking you to follow us.
Thanks
Courtesy:
Information Courtesy: OSHA
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay
