Shop safety
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that publishes safety standards.
The primary safety concerns in a small engine repair shop are;
- Fire Safety
- Chemical Safety
- Electrical Safety
- Ventilation of confined spaces
- Safe operation of engines and equipment
- Good house keeping
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Back Safety
Fire
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is dedicated to fire prevention and protection. The fire triangle consists of three parts Fuel, Oxygen, and Heat. Remove at least one of these to extinguish a fire. There are four primary classes of fire.
Class A - Involves burning wood, fabric, paper, cardboard and like materials. Can be extinguished with water, or dry chemical agents. These fires burn rapidly.
Class B - Involves flammable liquids, gasses, or chemicals. These fires produce tremendous heat. Water is not effective on these fires. Most chemicals and liquids flat on water. Use dry foam, dry chemicals, or carbon dioxide to extinguish. This type of fire may also be smothered. (Extinguish by containment)
Class C - Involves live electrical equipment. Often caused by bad contacts, frayed or missing wire insulation, faulty equipment, or overloaded circuits. Agents must be non conductive AND penetrate into small confined spaces. (Do not use water) Use carbon-dioxide, dry chemicals, or halon. Carbon-dioxide is recommended as it leaves no residue.
Class D - Involves combustible metals including magnesium, sodium, and lithium. These fires burn VERY HOT. Class A and B fire extinguishers are not effective. Do not use water as these materials may react with water intensifying the fire, or causing an explosion. Use heat absorbing agents such as dry powder (Do not use Dry Chemical). Powder is usually scooped onto a fire, not sprayed.
Portable fire extinguishers must be located near hazards and must contain the correct agents for those hazards. Fire extinguishers have a limited amount of extinguishing agent, and should be used efficiently.
Incipient Fire - This is the early stages of a fire. If a fire is less than 4 square feet, has flames that are less than 2 feet high and has low levels of smoke, it is a incipient fire. If larger it is no longer safe to fight with an extinguisher.
Before fighting a fire you should evaluate the size, and rate of spread of the fire. Locate all emergency exits close by, and keep them in mind. When ready to fight the fire, approach it from behind. This is the opposite side that the flames are moving towards. you will be able to get closer and aim directly at the base this way. It also reduces chances that you will become trapped.
To operate a fire extinguisher follow these steps.
- Locate, and remove from wall or housing.
- Grasp the handle and remove the safety pin.
- Free the hose and aim the nozzle at the base of the fire (not at the upper flames)
- Squeeze the handle and move nozzle in a sweeping motion
Use PASS to help remember these steps
Pull the pin
Aim the nozzle at fire
Squeeze the trigger
Sweeping motion to extinguish fire
To operate a fire extinguisher follow these steps.
- Locate, and remove from wall or housing.
- Grasp the handle and remove the safety pin.
- Free the hose and aim the nozzle at the base of the fire (not at the upper flames)
- Squeeze the handle and move nozzle in a sweeping motion
Use PASS to help remember these steps
Pull the pin
Aim the nozzle at fire
Squeeze the trigger
Sweeping motion to extinguish fire
Fire extinguishers should be inspected every 30 days, maintenance every 12 months, and pressure tested every 5 years. During an inspection, you should look for, and ask;
- Is the extinguisher viable, and is access clear of obstacles?
- Are operating instructions in place, visible, and legible?
- Has the extinguisher been activated? Is the tank full, partial, or empty? extinguishers should be full at ALL TIMES
- Has the extinguisher been physically damaged, or tampered with?
- Has the extinguisher been exposed the environmental conditions that may have corroded, seized, or blocked any components?
- Are all of the pressure gauges in the correct operational ranges?
- When was the last maintenance and recharge?
- Is the extinguisher viable, and is access clear of obstacles?
- Are operating instructions in place, visible, and legible?
- Has the extinguisher been activated? Is the tank full, partial, or empty? extinguishers should be full at ALL TIMES
- Has the extinguisher been physically damaged, or tampered with?
- Has the extinguisher been exposed the environmental conditions that may have corroded, seized, or blocked any components?
- Are all of the pressure gauges in the correct operational ranges?
- When was the last maintenance and recharge?
There are some circumstances when you should avoid fighting a fire. Do not fight a fire if;
- You are not trained to use a fire extinguisher
- Fire has exceeded the incipient stages
- Fire is to large for one person to handle, and you are alone
- Fire appears to be spreading very quickly
- Your escape route could become blocked
- Extinguisher is faulty, ineffective, or not rated for particular class of fire.
- You are not trained to use a fire extinguisher
- Fire has exceeded the incipient stages
- Fire is to large for one person to handle, and you are alone
- Fire appears to be spreading very quickly
- Your escape route could become blocked
- Extinguisher is faulty, ineffective, or not rated for particular class of fire.
Evacuation Procedure
- Get out fast. If an alarm has sounded, trust it. Do not waste time gathering items
- Shut down any equipment on your way out of the building
- Close any windows or doors as you leave. Do NOT Lock them though
- Stay low to the floor. If very smokey cover your mouth / nose with a clean wet cloth
- Do not open doors without checking the temperature first (If HOT fire on other side)
- Check the temperature of a door only with the back of your hand to avoid burning your palm
- Do not use elevators, use the stairs only
- Report the the designated assembly area (Muster point) Do a roll call. Account for everyone.
- Never enter a burning building
- If you clothing catches fire, stop, drop, and roll.
- Get out fast. If an alarm has sounded, trust it. Do not waste time gathering items
- Shut down any equipment on your way out of the building
- Close any windows or doors as you leave. Do NOT Lock them though
- Stay low to the floor. If very smokey cover your mouth / nose with a clean wet cloth
- Do not open doors without checking the temperature first (If HOT fire on other side)
- Check the temperature of a door only with the back of your hand to avoid burning your palm
- Do not use elevators, use the stairs only
- Report the the designated assembly area (Muster point) Do a roll call. Account for everyone.
- Never enter a burning building
- If you clothing catches fire, stop, drop, and roll.
Chemicals
Many different types of chemicals are found in a small engine repair shop including paint, de-greaser, solvents, fuel, lubricants, and pest spray. The Dangerous properties of chemicals include poisonous vapors and fumes if inhaled, Fumes may be a fire or explosion hazard, Some chemicals cause temporary, or permanent blindness if in contact with eyes, Some chemicals can cause burns to skin. Contact Dermatitis and Eczema can be caused by contact with chemicals and solvents. Contact Dermatitis starts as a redness of the skin but turns into blistering and cracking of the skin. Batteries contain sulfuric acid, and some precautions should be used when handling batteries.
- Keep Batteries upright
- Use a battery strap, or handle at all times when transporting a battery
- Never charge a frozen battery. It may explode
- Always wear gloves and eye protection when handling batteries.
- Keep Batteries upright
- Use a battery strap, or handle at all times when transporting a battery
- Never charge a frozen battery. It may explode
- Always wear gloves and eye protection when handling batteries.
Electricity
Electricity is all around us, and its easy to forget the risks it presents. Usually to get a serious electric shock, you must be standing on or near a conductor.
Conductor - A Material that allows electricity to pass through it easily or with little resistance. Usually a water based, or metal material.
Electricity will always follow the path of least resistance. There are two ways electric current travels.
AC - Alternating current.
DC - Direct Current.
Direct current has the potential to cause more serious electrical shock as it is a direct, and constant current. AC current is a continues on / off cycles where the current changes direction each cycle. Voltage and Amperage will affect the severity of the shock. Also a affecting the severity of the shock is the path electricity takes through your body. A Shock traveling from one finger to another finger on the same hand may cause burns but will not be life threatening. If A shock travels from one hand to the other, or to your feet, this can be very dangerous. When electricity travels through your body is may affect your internal organs. Any time you are working with electricity you should avoid wearing any jewelry (Rings, necklace or chains, ear-rings)
Electricity will always follow the path of least resistance. There are two ways electric current travels.
AC - Alternating current.
DC - Direct Current.
Direct current has the potential to cause more serious electrical shock as it is a direct, and constant current. AC current is a continues on / off cycles where the current changes direction each cycle. Voltage and Amperage will affect the severity of the shock. Also a affecting the severity of the shock is the path electricity takes through your body. A Shock traveling from one finger to another finger on the same hand may cause burns but will not be life threatening. If A shock travels from one hand to the other, or to your feet, this can be very dangerous. When electricity travels through your body is may affect your internal organs. Any time you are working with electricity you should avoid wearing any jewelry (Rings, necklace or chains, ear-rings)
VENTILATION & exhaust gas
Any time that a gasoline engine is running, it will produce exhaust gases and carbon monoxide. Carbon Monoxide is odorless, colorless, and tasteless making it very dangerous and difficult to detect. If inhaled, carbon monoxide will prevent red blood cells from delivering oxygen, causing suffocation. All homes and repair shops should have a carbon monoxide detector.
- Never operate an engine in an enclosed area without proper ventilation. Use of an exhaust pipe is acceptable.
- Avoid directly breathing in exhaust gases.
- Never operate an engine to close to a residential building. Gases can seep inside the building.
- Never operate an engine in an enclosed area without proper ventilation. Use of an exhaust pipe is acceptable.
- Avoid directly breathing in exhaust gases.
- Never operate an engine to close to a residential building. Gases can seep inside the building.
Safe Operation of equipment
Almost all equipment powered gasoline engine has moving parts, and should be operated with caution.
- Read manufacturers instructions prior to use
- Make sure you know how to shut off the equipment in an emergency before you start it
- Never start a piece of driving equipment, unless the brakes are locked and the transmission is in neutral
- When servicing equipment, always disconnect the spark plug to prevent accidental starting
- Make sure all guards are in place
- Never try to free a stuck blade, or moving component while engine is running
- Keep visitors away from work areas
- Exhaust components get VERY HOT. Allow to cool before touching them.
- Read manufacturers instructions prior to use
- Make sure you know how to shut off the equipment in an emergency before you start it
- Never start a piece of driving equipment, unless the brakes are locked and the transmission is in neutral
- When servicing equipment, always disconnect the spark plug to prevent accidental starting
- Make sure all guards are in place
- Never try to free a stuck blade, or moving component while engine is running
- Keep visitors away from work areas
- Exhaust components get VERY HOT. Allow to cool before touching them.
Good House keeping
It is very important to keep any work area clean and tidy. Good house keeping is more than that. The most important function of good house keeping is the control of material handling and storage. Work benches should be free of combustible materials such as rags, cardboard and paper. All spills should be cleaned up immediately and floors should be swept daily to keep combustible materials from building up on floor. When storing flammable liquids, or chemicals avoid keeping them in direct sunlight, or high temperature areas. Containers should be checked frequently for leaks or deterioration. Properly label all containers that contain a material that is not in its proper container. Such as a lubricant or chemical in a spray bottle. When working on any equipment that can leak, place a drip pan underneath. Do not allow combustible materials to accumulate in one area. Separate clean combustible material (Cardboard, paper, wood...) from dirty combustible waster. Dirty combustible waste is a material that has been exposed to a flammable liquid such as gasoline, solvents, or oil.
Any liquid that has a flash point less than 1400*F or 760*C is considered hazardous. Disposal of hazardous waster is regulated by Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. (RCRA). Recycle as much used oil as possible.
Any liquid that has a flash point less than 1400*F or 760*C is considered hazardous. Disposal of hazardous waster is regulated by Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. (RCRA). Recycle as much used oil as possible.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE is one of the most important ways to protect yourself. PPE is the last line of defense. Various peices of safety equipment exist to protect you.
Splash Goggles - Protect eyes against particles, chemical splashes. Should be used when working with chemicals and dangerous liquids. Some models will have ventilation holes.
Face Shield - A transparent plastic shield that covers the entire face. Protects from particles. Should be used with safety glasses.
Dust Mask - Shields nose and mouth from breathing in air born particles.
Respirator - Protects from particles, and chemical vapors / fumes in the air. Can also be used to supply oxygen.
Ear Plugs - Used to protect your ear drums in noisy environments. Hearing damage in non-reversible. If a workplace is loud enough that you cannot hold a conversation, you should be wearing ear plugs.
Steel Toe Footwear - Steel toed foot wear is very important and an reduce the severity of impacts, and weight being applied to your foot. It is available in many styles of shoes, and boots.
Gloves - Gloves are a very important, and frequently used piece of PPE. Various types of gloves are available such as Leather gloves, cotton, rubber, latex, or neoprene. Each type is for different uses. Leather gloves are a great utility glove used to prevent hands from cuts, heat, or scratches. Rubber gloves are better for working with chemicals. Gloves also come in different lengths. Longer gloves are recommended for welding, or working with chemicals.
Protecting your back
Protecting your back is very important. A few simple rules should be followed at all times.
- Do not lift more than 50 lbs without assistance
- Hold a heavy object as close to your body as possible
- Make sure path of travel is clear before lifting
- Wear gloves to improve your grip if necessary
- Bend with you knees, not your waist
- Lift in a smooth, controlled motion. avoid sudden movements
- Never twist at the waist. Turn your whole body
- Use hand carts or dollies when available. For large / awkward or heavy objects ask for assistance
- Stretch before heavy lifting
- Do not lift more than 50 lbs without assistance
- Hold a heavy object as close to your body as possible
- Make sure path of travel is clear before lifting
- Wear gloves to improve your grip if necessary
- Bend with you knees, not your waist
- Lift in a smooth, controlled motion. avoid sudden movements
- Never twist at the waist. Turn your whole body
- Use hand carts or dollies when available. For large / awkward or heavy objects ask for assistance
- Stretch before heavy lifting
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