If you’re a mechanic, chances are you spend a lot of time in the car garage, mending other people’s vehicles. But have you ever wondered whether your garage is a safe place to work, or if you could be doing more to ensure your safety?
If so, you’ve come to the right place! We break down the best ways to make sure your garage is safe below.
Keep flammables away
Garages are home to plenty of flammable liquids. From oils to petroleum to even certain types of screen wash, there are a whole host of things that pose a fire risk.
To ensure you’re adhering to fire safety guidelines, be sure to keep naked flames and cigarettes well away from your garage. If you can, try to operate a non-smoking policy.
You should also make sure all flammables are stored away properly and labelled correctly.
Keep things tidy
Garages are notoriously messy places to be. But it’s important to promptly clear up any spillages on the floor or yourself.
For this reason, it’s imperative to have somewhere with either water heaters or running hot water so you can clean your hands and/or surfaces so you can prevent any issues occurring.
Invest in the right PPE
In 2021/22, 123 workers died due to fatal injuries at work. But perhaps the most tragic part of this is the fact that many could have been prevented with adequate PPE.
To protect yourself and the workers you might be overseeing, always make sure to have the correct PPE. For example, welding, grinding and other tasks can be extremely dangerous, so you’ll need to ensure you have protective equipment to keep you out of harm’s way.
At a very minimum, you’ll need access to:
- Masks
- Respirators
- Goggles
- Protective clothing
- Heavy-duty gloves
Ensure you have the right equipment
As well as having the right PPE, you also need to make sure you have the right equipment. For example, you’ll need to make sure you have a robust car jack. After all, cars weigh tonnes – and you certainly don’t want to risk one falling on you whilst you’re examining a chassis.
Final thoughts…
Although you might not think going to work is inherently dangerous, when you’re a mechanic, it’s worth knowing that things can be dangerous if you’re not careful. But by following the above guidelines, you can ensure you and your colleagues have a safe working environment in which you can thrive.
