Effective Safety Tips Every Car Mechanic Should Keep in Mind

Garage owners and their workers must ensure that safety precautions are prioritized and that all employees observe specific measures in their work to protect themselves from accidental injuries. 

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Safety measures also help protect the customers and co-workers from injuries while at the same time prevent the vehicles from damage. Read on to learn some effective tips that every mechanic should keep in mind.  

Wear Protective Gear

The golden rule that you must always follow when fixing any kind of problem on a vehicle is that 'safety comes first.' Therefore, you must always wear protective gear that suits the type of repair work you will be undertaking. The basic safety gear that you must always consider includes boots, a work suit, gloves, ear protection, and goggles. You should avoid loose clothing since it can be easily caught on something or ripped. To prevent workers from wearing inappropriate attire at work, you can procure customized uniforms to ensure that safety standards are maintained.  

Seek Advice from a Professional Lawyer

Employees in different working environments are protected by the workers' compensation insurance which every business should have depending on the number of employees they have. However, some workers often experience challenges in getting the benefits they are owed by the employer and this is when you can seek advice from a professional lawyer. Specialized attorneys at https://www.trollingerlaw.com/washington-dc-workers-compensation-lawyer/ explain that a workers' compensation personal injury lawyer plays a crucial role in assisting workers to get the payments they deserve following injuries at work. Professional lawyers know how to handle different issues that may arise when the employees claim benefits for injuries at work. 

Avoid Smoking in the Garage

Smoking in the garage or near repair bays is not recommended since it can lead to a fire that can cause injuries and extensive damage to property. Vehicles contain flammable fluids that can easily ignite when they come into contact with hot ash from cigarettes. You must also ensure that items like fire extinguishers are readily accessible to put out accidental fires. 

Remove All Objects from the Engine

While any engine is running, you must remove all the objects, tools, and never place your hands too close to running fans and belts. The moving parts can cause injury to the mechanic or damage the vehicle if they are obstructed by objects. Additionally, you must also keep your work area organized and clean so that it is free from the clutter that can disturb free movement. 

Working Underneath the Vehicle

You must never work underneath a car unless you make sure that it is properly supported. If you raise the vehicle off the ground to access the bottom part, you must ensure that it is stable so that there is no risk of the car falling on the mechanic. The vehicle should rest on supporting stands or you can take to a pit where you can easily access the underside. The other safety measure that you should always take is to ensure that the parking brake is on when working on a stationary vehicle. You also need to put small blocks on the front and back sides of different wheels to prevent the car from moving.     

Remove the Keys from the Ignition

You should always remove the keys from the ignition switch as they draw power from the battery. Modern cars are sophisticated and they will produce an alert sound warning you that you have forgotten your keys in the ignition switch. You must avoid unplugging fuses or working on wiring when you leave the key in the 'on' position to avoid the risk of electrical shock. Naked wires can also cause sparks that can damage other components of the vehicle.

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It would be rather good to disconnect one battery terminal if you are fixing electrical faults on the car then connect it for testing when you are done. Even when the car is off, electrical currents can still pass through the wiring system. 

Leave the Engine Cool Down

When a vehicle is brought to your workshop for attention, you must leave it to cool down before you start working on it. The engine, exhaust system, and radiator could be very hot such that they cause skin burns. To avoid this, you must give the car a few minutes to cool down so that you can safely work on various components.

In every garage or workshop where vehicles are fixed, all the employees should prioritize safety precautions to prevent accidental injuries and damage to vehicles. There are different things that every worker should know so that they also do not cause injuries to customers and other visitors. Implementing safety measures in the workplace help prevent cases of liability.      

Samuel Daniel

Update 26 September 2020