ALT-1 Auto Repair Safety Tips
Auto repair safety is largely about practising common sense. It's important to have the right tools for any job being undertaken, and perhaps more importantly, the appropriate level of expertise depending on the task. If there are any doubts about particular auto repair work, it can be a smart option to take the affected vehicle to a recognised mechanic; work mistakes can be costly and difficult to correct and lead to physical strain in the repairer. Additionally, complex computer circuitry and components in newer model cars can easily be damaged by the inexperienced do-it-yourself mechanic, and injuries can be sustained through incomplete repairing knowledge. Other important auto repair safety tips include:Be aware of your physical limitationsDon't undertaken repair work if you are in a less than fit state or are unwell in any way. Auto work often requires a lot of lifting and straining, crawling under vehicles to perform tasks and general all body movement. It can be physically demanding work and the repairer can easily undergo strain injuries and bodily bruising. Wearing appropriate clothing and padding for joints and limbs can be a smart option in order to decrease wear and tear on the body. Anyone with a heart condition, arthritis or serious medical issue should consult their doctor before undertaking any vehicle repair work. If tired, intoxicated or affected by medication do not attempt an auto repair job. Wear comfortable, well-fitted clothing and remove jewellery, ties etc. Tie back long hair.Have a tidy work areaThis is a cardinal rule of auto repair safety. A clean and well-ordered space is important when attempting any type of fix-it task; tools should all be in good working order and stored neatly and tidily so they don't obstruct in any way or prove to be a safety hazard. Oil and grease spills need to be cleaned promptly to prevent potential injuries through slipping and overbalancing. Having a good quality broom and bucket and mop on hand at all times is smart practice; don't be too macho and avoid necessary cleaning implements! A fire extinguisher should be available in case of emergency and be stored appropriately in an easy to reach location. Make sure that your vehicle repair space has adequate ventilation too; be especially conscious of dangerous carbon monoxide fumes and work outdoors where possible. It is inadvisable to smoke when doing repair work as gasoline can be highly volatile!Wear protective eyewearA vehicle contains many potentially hazardous components and liquids that can easily damage the eyes. Hot oil, gases, metal shards, grease and dust particles all pose as potential dangers to the do-it-yourself mehanic andappropriate safety gogglesshould be worn in order to prevent eye injuries. If undertaking tasks beneath the body of the auto, it is especially crucial that some type of protective eye wear is used! Many repairers make the mistake of simply wearing prescription glasses when doing auto jobs but they do not provide adequate protection for the sensitive eye area. Take care and preserve your sight! Additionally, protective breathing masks may be advisable for people with lung issues or where dust is heavy in indoor areas.Work with a cold engineIt is surprisingly easy to sustain burns when doing repair jobs on a car with a hot motor. This is never advisable practice so wait until your car has had a chance to cool down before undertaking any tasks. Radiator caps should not be removed while the vehicle is still in a heated state; it is important to allow the cooling system a couple of hours to lose heat before work is attempted. The electric cooling system fan may also pose as a safety hazard; even though the ignition is switched off, the fan can still engage in a vehicle that has a heated radiator. Other metallic parts of the auto's chassis and componentry may also cause burns, and be especially conscious of the exhaust pipe. Some jobs may require the vehicle to be running; always take appropriate precautions to avoid injury.Usesupport standsrather than a jackThe last thing a repairer needs is to have a vehicle fall on top of them when attempting any work. Although some may suggest using a good quality jack to hoist the car, it is much safer to use support stands to securely raise the car to the appropriate height required; these will balance the vehicle and hold the weight much more securely - check the weight ratings on the support stands before positioning. Wheels, bricks, wood blocks, boxes or any other type of item are not safe enough and should never be used to support a vehicle's weight, one slip or movement can result in severe injuries being sustained. Remember that the parking brake should be on and the gear shift should only be in neutral or park.Electric shocksand air-bag injuriesMake sure one of the battery cables is disconnected to avoid the chance of sustaining a shock. It is also important to never remove leads or componentry when the car still has the ignition switched on. Spark plugs and distributor caps can also pose as shock hazards so be aware of potential risks; be sure to use insulated tools when doing any electrical jobs in order to maximise personal safety. When working inside the car near the dash it is important to be aware that air-bags can engage and cause injury to the worker. The battery should be disconnected and at least 15 minutes should have passed before any type of internal wiring job is attempted inside a vehicle.Finally, always have a quality first-aid kit on hand and advise a friend or family member before you start any repair work so they can check on you if needed.Sources citedAuto repair safety tipsAuto repair helpYouFixCars.comMy Dad
