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9 safety tips for anyone working in the automotive industry

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Even simple maintenance can save you money

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21 December 2015

SOME jobs are riskier than others, but it’s clear that working in the automotive industry is rather dangerous in many respects.

In fact, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there were 7,000 injuries and 35 deaths in the motor repair industry over the last five years, so here are 9 safety tips that should prevent you from getting hurt.

  • Wear protective gloves

If there’s a risk of toxic paints or other hazardous materials splashing onto your skin, always wear strong protective gloves available from companies like Brosch Direct. These provide an essential protective barrier against harmful materials and can prevent everything from burns to allergic reactions.

  • Wear overalls

Personal protective equipment is of paramount importance in any high-risk job, so if you’re worried about burns from oil or toxic battery fluids, you should also wear tight-fitting overalls. The same applies when using other irritants including spray paints, so don’t take unnecessary risks.

  • Be visible at all times

In an environment where noisy machinery, clanking metal, roaring engines and loud voices is the norm, you must make yourself as visible as possible to avoid injuries. High-vis vests can quite literally save lives, so be sure to wear one during working hours.

  • Throw away oily rags

While it can be tempting to stuff an oily rag in your pocket for future use, try not to do this as the oil might seep through your clothes and harm your skin. Instead, place them in a designated ‘oily rag box’ or cupboard so you know exactly where they are when you need one.

  • Repair oil leaks

Oil has a nasty habit of leaking and this can cause floors to become horribly slippery, but thankfully the HSE suggests ways in which you can minimise this problem including arranging a programme of maintenance for faulty products and placing metal bunding around leaky machines which are beyond repair.

  • Put sawdust on the floor

If you’re looking for a quick and simple way to soak up oil while waiting for a machine to be fixed, put sawdust on the floor. This is highly absorbent and will stop your surfaces from becoming overly slippery.

  • Avoid using tools you don’t understand

Don’t know how a certain tool works? Then avoid using it until you’ve received the relevant training. Working with the wrong equipment, or equipment you don’t fully understand, can lead to accidents and injuries so don’t take the risk.

  • Know the COSHH basics

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) is the law that requires employers to handle dangerous products in a certain way. Good practice in the control of substances hazardous to health is key, so make sure you’re up to scratch with your company’s COSHH and fire safety procedures.

  • Make sure all vehicles are well supported

If you have to work underneath a vehicle for any reason, ensure it’s well supported and you’ve followed all the correct procedures to suspend the vehicle properly so that it won’t fall and hurt you.

Whether you’re a manufacturer, designer, engineer, mechanic or play another important role within the automotive industry, you must keep yourself as safe as possible.

 

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