Automotive Shop Safety

Accidents in the Shop

Most are preventable with safe work habits. Millions of non-fatal work related injuries every year

costing billions in insurance, lost productivity, and workman's compensation payments.

Three out of five workers suffering eye injuries that occur in the work place were not wearing safety rated eye protection.

Use of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment)

Eye Protection

Must wear safety glasses at ALL times in the shop When grinding with the pedestal grinder or hand

grinder, you must wear a full face shield-SAFETY GLASSES ARE NOT ENOUGH!

Gas (Oxy-Acetylene) welding, cutting, or brazing requires a shade 5 lens in welding goggles.

Electrical welding (M.I.G., T.I.G, ARC, Heli-Arc) requires a shade 10 lens and a full welding helmet.

Eye burning from excessive bright light is called IRRADIATION.

Hand/Skin Protection

Rubberized or Nitrile Gloves must be used when working with chemicals and the parts washer.

Use leather gloves when grinding and welding. Use leather gloves when lifting heavy engine parts or

transmissions. Leather apron when welding Rubberized apron when using the parts washer.

Hearing Protection

When grinding, hammering, or using loud equipment-use hearing protection.

Ear Plugs Ear Muffs Banded plugs

Respiratory Protection

When working with chemicals that give off fumes, extended time around gasoline, working on brakes or clutches that may contain asbestos, power sanding, and when using the parts washer for extended periods-use a respirator or dust mask as required.

Dust Particulate mask Vapor Respirator

Jewelry, Clothing and Shoes

No Jewelry (except small stud earrings) are allowed. Clothing must be fitted and not hang down or off the body. No sleeveless shirts No shorts No holes No hats No open toe shoes No sandals or flip-flops Work style shoes preferred Leave shop clothes in your locker

Compressed Air

Compressed air injuries include; eye, skin, respiratory and bloodstream embolisms.

Fine jet stream of compressed air at approximately 90 to 150 pounds per square inch (PSI) or more.

DO NOT use to clean you clothing or skin. DO NOT use on brakes or clutches.

Carcinogens

Cancer causing agents. Chronic health problem (can take many repeated exposures to

develop). Can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or ingested. Associated with kidney and liver damage Asbestos Mineral Spirits Gasoline Diesel Fuel Lacquer Thinner

Lifting heavy objects

Bend at the knees not at the waist Straight Back Feet as close as possible to the object Lift with your legs, not your back Move your feet Get help if over 50 pounds.

The Law

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

“Right To Know” Law Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) MSDS Book-readily available-NOT locked up Training Chemical handling, spill control, storage, signage,

emergency procedures, flash points, fire extinguishing, compatibility, First aid.

The EPA

Environmental Protection Agency Governs all Environmental concerns Waste oil, antifreeze, Refrigerant R12 and R134a,

chemicals handling and disposal, waste oil filters. HAZMAT training Clean Air Act of 1990-exhaust emissions and

chemical purging into the atmosphere. R12 now illegal to produce

Spills

Must be cleaned up immediately Do NOT leave unguarded Do not push out of the door or down the drains Do not mix fluids Antifreeze (Ethyl Glycol) is water soluble and can

end up in wastewater plants, the aqua fir, or the water tables.

Waste oil can also seep into the aqua fir

Jack and Jack stand safety

Jack the vehicle making sure the jack saddle is in contact with the frame or lifting point.

Place jack stands at equal heights under the frame or lifting points.

Let the jack down slowly until the vehicle is resting on the stands.

When finished, lift the vehicle off of the jack stands. Use 2 hands on the jack stand to let it down. Insure that nothing or no one was left under the vehicle. Give the “Clear” signal very loudly. Let the vehicle down slowly.

Spontaneous Combustion

When something reaches its flashpoint, it will begin to burn WITHOUT an ignition source or spark.

Oily, chemical soaked rags Fire proof container with tight fitting

automatic lid.

Working at Home

If you spill some antifreeze, clean it up immediately.

Dogs, cats and other animals are attracted by the sweet smell.

They cannot taste it. They will die You will cry

FIRST AID

If another student is injured or is unconscious DO NOT attempt to move the student DO NOT ATTEMPT FIRST AID Call for the instructor immediately Stay Calm-panic will give us another emergency All students not involved go to your desk in the classroom and

stay quiet. Help keep other students calm If the instructor is unconscious:

– Go out the classroom door and get help from another teacher– Dial 9-9-911 (Follow the procedure on the yellow emergency

signs)

Fire Extinguishers

Class A - Wood, paper, cardboard Class B - Chemical, Grease, Oil, Gasoline Class C - Electrical Class D - Flammable Metals Several combination extinguishers We have class ABC in the shop

Electrical Power Tools

Only Properly Grounded DO NOT remove the ground prong A ground fault will be very hazardous Clamp your work in a vise- do not hold it in

your hand Disconnect your tool when not in use Keep electrical cords away from sharp

edges, chemicals, and oils

Fire Prevention

Avoid tasks that create sparks around flammable liquids or gases

No heat or sparks near the fuel system Avoid creating sparks and open flames near fuel

leaks DO NOT store any more than 5 gallons of fuel Use only approved safety containers for storing

chemicals and fuels Immediately wipe up all fuel and chemical spills,

especially flammable ones.

Exhaust Gases

CO-Carbon Monoxide-colorless, odorless, and extremely deadly

CO2-Carbon Dioxide-what we exhale NOx-Oxides of Nitrogen-Ozone depleting HC-Hydrocarbons-Unburned fuels-rotten egg

smell when high O2-Oxygen-what we breathe

Waste Storage

Waste oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid goes in the waste oil drum- it is clearly marked.

Waste anti-freeze and water goes in the waste anti-freeze drum-clearly marked.

Waste chemicals must be stored in their original container and disposed of professionally.

Battery Safety

Car batteries contain Electrolyte– Sulfuric Acid-Caustic (will burn your skin on contact)– Distilled Water-(No minerals or foreign particles)

The process of charging and discharging in a battery causes the electrolyte to create Hydrogen gas.

Highly flammable and explosive if in concentrations. No spark, open flames, or heat sources around

batteries.

Safe Battery Service

When removing or reinstalling a battery To prevent sparks which could ignite the

hydrogen around the battery Disconnect the negative FIRST Reconnect the negative LAST

Jump Starting a car

Pull the cars together Stretch out your cables so the ends do NOT touch1. Connect positive cable (red) to the live car’s positive

post on the battery (+)2. Connect the other end of the positive cable to the

dead car’s positive post on the battery (+)3. Connect the negative cable (black) to the live car’s

negative post on the battery (-)4. Make the last negative connection (black) (-) on the

dead car’s ground (clean, unpainted, non-moving, metal part as far away from the battery as possible.

Battery Charger Safety

When charging a battery with a charger Make sure the charger is unplugged and the

switches are OFF Connect the red-positive cable to the battery (+)

post. Connect the black-negative cable to the battery (-)

post. Plug in the charger Turn the charger on to the correct charge rate,

amperage, and timer setting.

Know Where to Go and What to DO!

Familiarize yourself with the safety equipment in the shop

Know the location of the telephones, fire extinguishers, emergency exits, fire alarm controls, emergency cutoff switches, and shop first aid kits.

Familiarize yourself with the location of all emergency and first aid procedures.

Safety is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!

Come prepared to work safely– Appropriate dress– Long hair tied up– Safety glasses on when in the shop

Keep your hands, sleeves, pant legs and hair away from rotating engine parts and rotating equipment.

– Belts– Fans– Drill Chucks– Lathe Shafts