26 Auto Suspension and Steering Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Introduction Making repairs in a safe manner protects the technician, the vehicle, and the shop. Th is chapter examines various unsafe conditions and work practices, and explains how to correct or avoid them. It also covers the proper handling and dis- posal of waste products generated in the automobile repair shop. Carelessness: The Usual Cause of Accidents Accidents oft en result in painful injuries that keep you from working or enjoying your free time. Some accidents can be fatal. Even slight injuries are annoying and may impair your ability to work and play. Even if an accident causes no per- sonal injury, it can result in property damage and may cost you your job. Damage to vehicles or shop equipment can be expensive and time-consuming to fi x. Accidents frequently occur when the technician has the attitude that following proper work procedures is too much trouble. Unfortunately, even experienced technicians become rushed and careless. Th erefore, falls, injuries to hands and feet, fi res, explosions, electric shocks, and even poisonings occur in auto repair shops. Carelessness in the shop can also lead to long-term bodily harm from prolonged exposure to harmful liquids, vapors, and dust. Lung dam- age, skin disorders, and even cancer can result from contact with these toxic substances. For these reasons, the techni- cian must keep safety in mind at all times. Types of Accidents Th e ways an accident can occur in the shop are many and varied. Nevertheless, most accidents are caused by one of two factors: • Failure to maintain a safe workplace. • Performing service procedures improperly. Examples of failure to maintain a safe workplace include failing to properly maintain tools and equipment allowing old parts, containers, or other trash to accumulate around the shop and ignoring water or oil spills. Examples of improper service procedures include using the wrong methods to perform repairs, using defec- tive or otherwise inappropriate tools, not wearing proper protective equipment, and not paying close attention while performing the job. Th e best way to prevent accidents is to maintain a neat workplace, to use safe methods and common sense when making repairs, and to wear protective equipment when needed. The Danger of Spring Tension To hold a 2500-lb to 5000-lb vehicle above the ground, the suspension springs must be very powerful. Th e weight of the vehicle puts the spring under a great deal of tension. Th is tension, known as spring tension, can injure you if it is not properly released. If you remove the bolts securing parts under spring tension without properly releasing the spring tension, the parts could fl y apart with great force. Th is force is great enough to break ribs or crush hands and feet. Always determine whether a part is under spring tension before removing its fasteners. If necessary, compress the spring to release the tension. If the fasteners seem to be under tension as the fi rst few threads are loosened, stop immediately and determine why the part is still under spring tension. Never assume that parts are not under tension. Maintaining a Safe Workplace Return all tools and equipment to their proper storage places. See Figure 2-1. Th is saves time in the long run and reduces the chance of accidents and theft . Never leave equip- ment or tools out where others could trip over them. If you remove brake parts, place them in closed containers and store them away from high traffi c areas. Th is helps mini- mize exposure to brake dust. Keep workbenches and work areas clean. A clean workbench reduces the chance of tools or parts falling from the bench onto the fl oor, where they could be lost or dam- aged. A falling tool or part can land on your foot, causing injury. A clean work area reduces the possibility that critical parts will be lost or that a fi re will start in oily debris. See Figure 2-2. Clean up spills before they get tracked around the shop. People are oft en injured when they slip on fl oors coated with oil, antifreeze, or water. Gasoline spills can be extremely Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 2-1. Keep your tools clean and arranged in an easy-to- find manner.