Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 64 Section 1 Introduction to Automotive Technology • Ventilate your work area when needed. Turn on the shop ventilation fan when fumes are present. • Never sweep or use compressed air to remove asbestos dust. Asbestos dust (particles found in older brake and clutch assemblies) is a cancer-causing agent. Use an enclosed vacuum system or solvent to clean parts safely and to avoid contaminating the shop. • Jack up a vehicle slowly and safely. A car can weigh more than two tons (1,800 kg). • Never work under a vehicle that is not supported by jack stands. A floor jack is only for raising the vehicle, not holding it while working. A hydraulic jack can blow a seal and allow the vehicle to crash down with tremendous force. Always secure a vehicle on jack stands and block the wheels before working under it. • Respect running engines. Before starting an engine, make sure the transmission is fully in Park or Neutral (manual transmission) and set the emergency brake. You do not want the car to run over someone or roll into shop equipment. • Keep your hands and tools away from engine fans. The fan on an engine is like a spinning knife. It can inflict serious injuries. Additionally, if a part or tool is dropped into the fan, it can fly out with great force. Remember, electric radiator fans can turn on even with the ignition key off. Tech Tip While safety should be a priority whenever you are working in the shop, it is easy to overlook potential hazards. Therefore, it is important to perform periodic (weekly or monthly) shop safety inspections. Walk through your shop and take note of any unsafe conditions found. Report unsafe conditions to your instructor or supervisor. Workplace Skills Most shop insurance policies do not cover customers who enter the shop work area. When informing customers that they are not allowed to be in this space, explain that it is company policy and that the insurance company excludes nonemployees who are injured in the work area. This will help prevent a customer from being offended when he or she is told to return to the waiting room. How would you deal with the following situations? 1. A regular customer who is very knowledgeable about cars insists on overseeing work being done on his antique vehicle. 2. A retired employee insists on entering the shop area when he brings his vehicle in for service. He does not leave the area after you request that he do so. Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock.com