Working as a mechanic can be quite rewarding. However, it can also come with a lot of risks. Therefore, it’s important to know what good mechanic safety looks like. That way, you can keep safe while doing your job…
How-to Practice Good Mechanic Safety: Useful Steps
Personal protection
A lot of good mechanic safety comes down to personal protection. There are many different hazards which can cause physical injuries in a mechanic’s shop. Sparks, metal fragments, and chemicals can all get into a mechanic’s eyes. Certain materials can also be dangerous to the skin, as can heavy objects if they fall onto one’s feet.
Safety glasses or welding masks are helpful for protecting the eyes, depending on the work being done. Wearing gloves and long-sleeved clothes will also work well for preventing skin injures. Of course, steel-toed boots are key for protecting the feet if something falls on them.
Proper lifting
Mechanics will also need to work with a lot of heavy objects. This can lead to back problems and other injuries if they don’t life these objects safely. That’s why practicing proper lifting techniques is important for good mechanic safety. Doing so will limit the chances of any serious injuries occurring.
Most car parts tend to be too heavy to lift safely on one’s own. This is why many mechanics will use dollies, hand trucks, or cranes to lift things instead. Make sure that you properly secure anything you lift and put away too. This will ensure that it won’t come falling down and pose a significant risk to you and others.
Fire avoidance
Fires are an ever-present risk for mechanics. Many of the chemicals that they work around, like gasoline and oil, are highly flammable. Considering that much of their work involves working with flames or creates sparks, the chance of a fire can be pretty high.
In general, you should store all flammable materials away from any potential igniters. For those with flammable fumes, proper ventilation will ensure that they won’t linger and pose a risk. Of course, you should still have proper safety equipment like fire extinguishers on-hand just in case a fire does break out.