Chapter 4 Safety 77
you have used in the past will work
with a different type of vehicle.
• Always work carefully. Speed is not
nearly as important as doing the
job right and avoiding injury. Avoid
people who will not work carefully.
• Use the right tool for the job. For
example, using a screwdriver as a
chisel or a wrench as a hammer is
asking for an accident, or at least a
broken tool.
• Inspect electrical cords and
compressed air lines to ensure that
they are in good condition. Do not run
over, or close vehicle doors on, electric
cords or air lines. Do not run electrical
cords through water puddles or use
them outside when it is raining.
• Learn how to use new equipment
properly before using it. This is
especially true of air-operated tools,
such as impact wrenches or chisels,
and large electrical devices such as
drill presses. These tools are very
powerful and can hurt you if they are
used improperly. A good way to start
learning about new equipment is to
read the manufacturer’s instructions.
• When working on electrical systems,
avoid creating a short circuit with
a jumper wire or metal tool. Not
only will this damage the vehicle
components or wiring, it may develop
enough heat to cause a severe burn or
start a fi re.
• Lift safely. Make sure that you are
strong enough to lift the object to be
moved. Always lift with your legs, not
your back. If an object is too heavy to
lift by yourself, get someone to help
you or use a jack.
• Do not smoke in the shop. You may
accidentally ignite an unnoticed
gasoline leak. A burning cigarette may
also ignite oily rags or paper cartons.
• Do not attempt to raise a vehicle with
an unsafe or under-capacity jack.
Always support a raised vehicle with
good-quality jack stands. Never use
boards or cement blocks to support a
vehicle.
• Do not run any type of engine, even
for a short time, in a closed area
without good ventilation. Carbon
monoxide, which cannot be seen or
smelled, can build up very quickly.
This is true even of lawn mowers and
other small engines.
• When working on or near a running
engine, keep away from all moving
parts. Never reach between moving
engine parts for any reason. A seemingly
harmless part such as the drive belts and
fan can seriously injure you.
• Do not leave a running vehicle
unattended. The vehicle may slip
into gear or overheat while you are
away. Whenever you must work on a
running vehicle, shift the transmission
into park or neutral and set the
parking brake.
• When road-testing a vehicle, be alert
and obey all traffi c laws. Do not
become so absorbed in diagnosing a
problem that you forget to watch the
road. Be alert for the actions of other
drivers.
Do the Job Right
It is important to correctly perform repairs
to the vehicle and to inspect the vehicle for other
problems that may lead to an accident. Making
sure that the vehicle leaves the shop in a safe
condition is just as important as working safely
in the shop.
After all other factors have been fi gured in,
it is still up to you to notice and correct safety
hazards, work safely, and prevent accidents.
Always use common sense when working on
vehicles. Avoid people who do not follow good
work and safety practices.
Waste Disposal
Automotive shops are in a position to either
help or harm the environment. Disposing of
wastes properly is not only a good thing to do,
but is often required by law. Shops that have a
reputation for exceeding regulations and work-
ing within guidelines set by other environmen-
tal agencies may also have a marketing edge
over other facilities.