The aftermarket industry is one of the most dangerous when it comes to workplace injuries. Here are the most common types of injuries and how to protect your technicians from them.
Sprains, Strains and Tears
Sprains, strains and tears are some of the leading causes of injury for auto technicians and mechanics, with over 2,100 such incidents recorded each year. Because work in a shop is often physical, even healthy individuals can experience an injury. Frequent and repetitive pushing, pulling, lifting, holding and carrying activities can result in back problems, pulled muscles, sprained wrists and other injuries. But taking the right steps can mitigate the risk.
Prevention
- Consider a new morning workplace routine. Many shops now have an ergonomics program. It can give technicians and mechanics a chance to stretch and flex and prepare muscles and joints before the main work of the day begins.
- Provide regular guidance and reminders to employees on safe lifting technique. Include tips on taking full advantage of the stronger muscles of the legs, minimizing strain on the back and positioning heavy loads closer to the body’s center of gravity.
- Equip technicians and mechanics with the tools needed to properly lift heavy loads, such as lifts, jacks, cranes, hoists and forklifts. Make sure to train employees on their use. Note that lifting equipment is key when a load will exceed 50 pounds.
- Avoid other overexertion risks by implementing a system of short breaks and varied work to reduce the risk of prolonged and repetitive tasks.
Eye Injuries
With its whirling motors, fine particles and hazardous materials, an auto shop is home to many things that can cause an eye injury. The eye is a delicate structure and injuries to it can be serious, causing a loss of vision and costly insurance claims. Rust particles, metal shavings, welding sparks, flying debris, splattered chemicals and high-pressure steam are a few of the top hazards. But all of them can be managed with the proper safety equipment.
Prevention
- Institute a mandatory safety glasses policy for technicians and mechanics to follow whenever they will be performing work tasks that could potentially injure the eye.
- Make sure the eye protection that technicians and mechanics have is comfortable to wear and includes the right prescription lenses or anti-fog coating, if needed.
Chemical-Related Injuries
Most automotive businesses are stocked with a wide variety of chemicals that can cause injuries. From mild skin irritation to chemical burns, fume inhalation, poisoning, fires and explosions, chemicals can cause a very broad variety of injuries. Proper labeling of containers, training of employees and following of procedures all help to reduce the rate of injuries.
Prevention
- Make sure to post up-to-date material safety data sheets for all in-use chemicals in an easily accessible location in case of an emergency, such as a chemical spill or poison ingestion.
- Train all auto technicians and mechanics on how to read and interpret the information on safety data sheets and on what procedures to follow in the event of a chemical exposure incident.
- Ensure the proper storage and labeling of all chemicals. Original labels on hazardous chemicals often include the product name, supplier identification, warnings, pictograms, safe handling instructions and emergency information.
- Require safe handling of chemicals, wearing protective gloves and glasses where necessary, avoiding eating or drinking anything in the work area and keeping open flames and sparks far away from stores of flammable chemicals.
Laceration Injuries
Auto technicians and mechanics suffer about 1,000 injuries a year involving serious cuts and lacerations. With sharp metal edges, fast-moving parts and high-powered machinery, it’s not hard to understand how some of these injuries can cause a technician or mechanic to lose a digit or a limb. Such injuries can then turn into an occupational disability, with the person no longer able to perform the work they are skilled in and trained to do. The risk of such injuries occurring can be reduced by taking the right precautions.
Prevention
- Train all technicians and mechanics on how to properly operate equipment such as shears, grinders and presses.
- Monitor to ensure that protective equipment guards are kept in place, and are not removed, altered or damaged.
- Require workers to wear appropriate gloves and other PPE for operation of tools and equipment.
- Instruct workers to avoid loose-fitting clothing, dangling jewelry and unsecured long hairstyles that can get caught in moving parts.
- Inspect tools and equipment regularly to ensure that they are in proper working order and stored away in the right place when not in use.
Slip, Trip and Fall Injuries
Slips, trips and falls are another common source of technician and mechanic injuries. The typical auto shop has many hazards that can lead to such an injury. Vehicle oil, grease and other fluids can get on shoes and walking surfaces making it easy to slip and fall. Hoses and electrical cords pose a risk for trips and falls. It’s also possible for a worker to fall from an elevated height onto a hard surface below. No matter the initial cause, falls can result in cuts and bruises, broken bones and even head injuries. Minimizing the risk starts with simple steps.
Prevention
- Increase awareness of slip, trip and fall injury hazards and ensure good housekeeping to keep walking paths clear of clutter, trash and storage.
- Check the condition of the floor itself, particularly in places where employees will need to walk or stand. Consider repairing any trip hazard defects.
- Have all spills cleaned up promptly and use warning signs for wet and slippery floors after cleaning and when weather impacts working conditions.
- Have technicians and mechanics wear slip-resistant shoes to help minimize the risk of slip and fall accidents due to water, ice and snow.
- Keep cables, cords and hoses wrapped up and off of the floor on hooks or reels when not in use. Use floor protectors over top of cords that cross walking paths.
Protecting Your Business
Aftermarket businesses face risks beyond technician and mechanic injuries. Having insurance to protect against key risks is a must.
Lockton Affinity Aftermarket offers a unique insurance solution to help protect businesses like yours with:
- Technician Errors and Omissions
- Employee tools coverage
- Customer complaint defense
- On-hook coverage
- Dealers Errors and Omissions
- Employment Practices Liability
Learn more about how to protect your business today.
