Repair And Fix it

Urethane clear coats are applied to create a lasting shine and to provide protection for the base colors that lay underneath them. As with any solvent-based materials, safety guidelines always should be followed when urethane products are used.

Inhalation

Urethane clear coats contain harmful vapors. The product always should be used in a well-ventilated area or in closed conditions where extraction is available. Users should wear suitable air-fed respiratory equipment at all times.

Skin and Eyes

Contact with skin and eyes should be avoided at all times. Protective clothing, eye-wear and gloves always should be worn during handling. In the event of accidental spillage, urethane clear coats should be washed off with copious amounts of water and medical advice should be considered.

Consumption

Urethane clear coats should never be consumed internally. If accidental swallowing occurs, do not induce vomiting and seek medical advice immediately.

Usage

Always use urethane clear coats in accordance with manufacturer instructions and never use non-compliant solvents to help harden or thin the material. Users with respiratory problems should avoid contact with all urethane-based products.

An auto shop contains safety hazards that range from tools to chemicals. Additionally, when power equipment is used in the shop, noise issues arise. Safety issues concern not only the materials and equipment inside the shop, but also the behavior of the workers, and also the automobile owners who may enter the shop. The Occupational Health & Safety Organization (OSHA) has standards that cover the health and safety issues facing auto body repair and finishing shops.

Employee Behavior

The work habits and behavior of the mechanics and other shop workers are paramount to shop safety. All workers should be thoroughly familiar with the shops safety rules. Employees should be trained on any equipment they use before they use it, and avoid using damaged or defective equipment. Common sense should always be used --- workers must avoid loose clothing, shun horseplay, and avoid smoking around flammable materials. Also, workers should not attempt any repair or lifting that is too dangerous or heavy for them to accomplish alone.

Hazardous Materials

Auto shops contain dangerous chemicals and materials, including oils, solvents, antifreeze, and gasoline. Flammable items should be stored in a safe area, such as a flammables storage room or a metal cabinet that is vented to the outside. Also, containers and cabinets should be correctly labeled with the contents they hold inside, and the specific hazards that the contents pose. The container lids should also be closed tightly. Material Safety Data Sheets must be available for all toxic chemicals in the shop.

Personal Protective Equipment

OSHA guidelines covering personal protective equipment maintain that reliable, required equipment must be available in the shop when workers need it. It must also be maintained in a sanitary condition. In an auto shop, this equipment includes an OSHA-approved mask, for respiratory protection; ear protection for when loud tools are being used; eye protection, for work underneath the vehicle or with automotive components that may endanger the sight; and gloves, to protect the hands when handling chemicals or automotive parts.

Shop Cleanliness

Daily, ongoing efforts should be routine to maintain the shop as a clean and safe work environment. Walkways should be kept clear of equipment and any equipments electrical cords. If there is an oil or grease spill, it should be immediately cleaned up. Also, the floor itself must be slip-resistant, composed of noncombustible material, and sealed. The shop lighting should be sufficient for mechanics to work comfortably, without strain.

Car ramps are simple devices that allow a person to get under a car to complete maintenance and repairs. While ramps are easy to use, improper use can cause serious injury and death.

Use Proper Ramps

Before driving a vehicle onto a ramp, the driver needs to make certain that the ramps are rated for the load that will be placed on them. Also, the vehicles tires should fit properly onto the ramp. Tires that bulge over the side may make the ramps unstable.

Test for Stability

Once the vehicle is on the ramps, gently rock the car to each side to make certain the ramps are stable. If an end or side of the ramp lifts off the ground while the car is being rocked, the weight of the vehicle is not properly placed on the ramps.

Chock the Wheels

Wheel chocks are wedge-shaped devices that prevent the car from rolling off the ramps. Place the chocks behind the wheels that are not on the ramp. Drivers should also make certain that the wheel chocks are rated for the weight that they are being used to hold.