In this article we will talk about the actions to be taken to avoid registering injuries in our workshop.

Repairing and maintaining cars can involve risks. We are talking both in terms of safety in the world of work, but also of the health of the workers themselves.

We can all make mistakes, but the error must be reduced to zero as much as possible, in order to have zero workplace accidents, within our workshop.

Over the years, work safety has progressively evolved and perfected a series of guidelines, which we now want to tell in this article.

The goal is to share these guidelines in order to create a general increase in safety within the working world of workshops.

All it takes is a little distraction, sometimes, to create very serious injuries. Accidents affecting people's health, but which also have economic repercussions on the workshop.

According to the most recent surveys carried out inside the workshops, the majority of occupational accidents are due to inattention or carelessness. Stress, but also small mistakes such as cleaning the workplace, unfortunately create prerequisites that are harmful to safety.

The first piece of advice we want to give is to turn off the vehicle, in order to avoid the risk of poisoning from exhaust fumes. Obviously the workshops that can suck the exhaust fumes at the source, through the exhaust pipe, are "exempt" from this advice as they bypass this situation.

During the assembly and disassembly of the vehicle, in order to avoid cuts or bumps, but also crushing, we must always respect the user manual and the manufacturer's instructions.

Clearly we must use protective gloves, and use the tools correctly.

When we handle the batteries, in order to avoid explosions or splashes of acid, it is advisable to protect the skin and eyes with suitable devices as much as possible. Wearing protective goggles is now an essential factor, and this is even more true if we are handling fluids or batteries.

Still with regard to batteries, remember to respect the exact sequence during connection and observe the manufacturer's instructions.

In the event that the batteries are frozen, never connect them and wait for the situation to improve.

The same prescriptions of the manufacturer are very important if we manage airbags, or if we are working on the steering wheel of the car. This applies both when inserting and removing the airbag.

Furthermore, air conditioning systems are very common in workshop management, especially in the spring phase. Motorists are looking for a phase of "review" of the climate in anticipation of the summer periods. We always recommend consulting the safety data sheet, so as not to inhale the gases contained within the air conditioning systems.

A very particular chapter concerns hybrid vehicles or those that run on methane. The management of the hybrid system is decidedly not simple, and this implies a need for specialization on the part of the mechanic.

Managing cars with Mild Hybrid systems is not like managing a petrol or diesel car. Electric shocks could be very dangerous for the operator.

The situation is similar, but not the same, for methane or LPG cars, as they contemplate the management of a cylinder which is normally positioned in the trunk of the car. Being experts in LPG or methane is certainly an advantage for the worker and in the event that we are not...we recommend contacting an expert in the sector.

Remaining within the world of fuel, let us always remember to work only with hand-operated or explosion-proof suction pumps. In this way, electrostatic charges which are very dangerous are avoided.

If we have to work with welding areas close to fuel tanks or pipes, we obviously shield the whole area, in order to protect other parts from possible sparks, or from heat or thermal conduction. Fuels are easily flammable and we would really like to avoid starting a fire, which is very dangerous for the operator, but also for the vehicle and the whole structure.

Body posture also wants attention. We avoid work in forced postures. The risk is physical overload, which can lead to occupational accidents that are also very long-lasting.

If we have loading bridges or driving cabs placed at height, the risk is obviously crushing following an accidental descent of the bridge or driving cab. We clearly have to secure the cargo deck with a brace, or get the cab above dead centre.

Finally, there are many risks associated with car roadside assistance procedures. Let's remember to use the high visibility vest! This serves to be more visible to other motorists.

The workplace must be made safe, but people must also respect forms of safety.

These are the main guidelines in terms of safety within the world of car workshops. In the next article we will go into more detail and delve into some important aspects relating to risk factors and possible preventive interventions during the vehicle inspection and diagnosis phase.

Passionate about the automotive world? Subscribe to YouDriver to find new customers and find thousands of customers who look for the workshop and professional closest to them every day, through the app. Furthermore, you will be able to stay updated on all the editorials and insights to better manage your workshop

Sign up here

credit photo FREEPIK
https://www.freepik.com/