Repair And Fix it

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.

Trucks are versatile vehicles that are used for personal transportation, transport of materials and commercial purposes. Do-it-yourself truck repair shops and commercial truck shops alike use a variety of tools to repair, rebuild and restore trucks of all shapes and sizes. These tools range from small, handheld tools to industrial-sized tools, which can be used for larger repair projects.

Rotary Tools

Rotary tools are multipurpose, handheld power tools that are used for a variety of repair and restoration projects in truck shops. Rotary tools vary in size and can be used for smaller projects such as cutting and carving truck materials that are made of metal to larger projects such as sanding and polishing trucks that are undergoing body work. Rotary tools are often utilized by mechanics and do-it-yourselfers because they require less torque, which makes them easier to operate and safer to use than many, higher powered mechanical tools. In addition, their handheld design allows for easier grasp than larger tools.

Air Compressors

An air compressor is another tool frequently found in truck repair shops. They are used to power a variety of tools. Air compressors work by converting electrical or gas power into kinetic energy, which is then used to supply power to a variety of hand tools. Air compressors come in a myriad of sizes and can be used to power smaller, handheld tools, such as spray guns and air wrenches, to larger tools such as belt sanders and windshield removers. Air compressors that are used to power smaller tools are typically transportable, while air compressors that are designed to provide increased power are normally stationary by design.

Handheld Tools

In addition to more complicated power tools such as air compressors and rotary tools, a staple used by many mechanics and do-it-yourself truck repair enthusiasts is a collection of traditional hand tools. Traditional handheld tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers are used to perform a variety of repairs, such as engine work, wire cutting, oil changes and body work. Handheld tools are able to get into tighter crevices and make intricate repairs that cannot be performed with larger tools such as air ratchets and drills.