Safety For Automotive Mechanics

Charlie Chum

Mrs. Nunnemaker

English IV

March 17, 2014

Safety for Automotive Mechanics

Longtime mechanic Carlos Contreras says, "a million things can go wrong when working on a car." And a lot of them hurt like heck (Woolston, Chris. Car Mechanics. Healthday, n.d. Web.). Whether you’re in car restoration or own an auto shop, safety in the workshop is always the most important. Keeping yourself, your friends, your family, your customers and any other people safe amongst the dangers of motor vehicle repair is something you should always consider. Injuries occur on a daily basis in the workshop. Safety is the number one issue everyone should be concerned with, mechanic or not. One of the OSHA standards is regularly violated by shops and mechanics is the right to know the standard. This policy is depicts the use of potentially hazardous chemicals which is a very common occurrence in the automotive business. It simply requires that employees be notified of the possible dangers of any of the chemicals they are using. OSHA also insists that employees have a right to know how they might be affected by chemicals in the shop (Ray, Linda. Work. Chron, n.d. Web.). The right to know standard requires labeling all chemicals, and including lists with information, training for employees in use of the chemicals and a plan that outlines how the auto shop plans to follow the right procedures. Another subject would be the general protection of workers. Many auto shops also violate another OSHA regulation by not providing adequate safety equipment for the workers. Auto shops are required to have plans and safety equipment that can be dealt by the hazards that many employees are exposed to at work shop (Ray, Linda. Work. Chron, n.d. Web.). For example,...

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...ove to other shop areas from contaminated hands and footwear. Replace all latex gloves with extended-cuff nitrile gloves. Workers may also use nitrile gloves in addition to every practical task performed in the shop, from surface preparation to application of paints and coatings. A supplied air respirator is the best choice for protecting workers. However, the compressor and other associated equipment must be properly maintained and must deliver sufficient uncontaminated air. A full face air purifying respirator equipped with organic vapor cartridges and N95 pre-filters is the second-best choice. This equipment provides eye full protection. Any respirator must be used within a defined respiratory protection program, including fit testing (for tight fitting styles) and a formal cartridge change-out schedule. ("Preventing Injury and Illness in Auto Body Shops." N.p.).