An automotive shop can be full of potential safety hazards. Some are obvious while others are not, yet all of them matter—due to the risk these hazards pose to your customers and your workers. Spotting and fixing auto shop safety hazards can reduce the risk of injuries, as well as costly insurance claims. Here’s what to know about protecting your aftermarket business.

Injury Risks at an Auto Shop

Customers in and out all day, technicians and mechanics servicing dozens of vehicles, the business receiving deliveries and sending out shipments—these daily activities all entail some risk for a business like yours.

For workers, an auto shop is more dangerous than many other places of employment. According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, automotive service technicians and mechanics have had an average of more than 11,000 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work for each of the last five years. Additionally, an average of more than 60 technicians and mechanics lose their lives each year in workplace accidents.

Yet even for customers, vendors and other visitors, the front of a shop can also pose a risk. Almost a third of claims in a retail setting involve third-party injuries. Such injury claims make up a higher proportion of claims than fires, floods and worker injuries for the same businesses put together.

Spotting and Fixing Common Hazards

While aftermarket businesses can face risks from both shop and retail space hazards, the risk management process is similar for both. First, identify what hazards could cause common injuries. Next, recognize these hazards in your own workplace environment. Finally, take simple steps specific to the risk to help minimize the likelihood of an accident occurring.

When it comes to the auto shop workspace, these are the top hazards to focus on:

1. Overexertion Hazards

Overexertion hazards are the leading cause of injury for auto technicians and mechanics. Over 2,100 such incidents are recorded each year. Work in the shop can be very physical, and involve pushing, pulling, lifting, holding and carrying. Even among healthy individuals, injuries such as muscle strains, sprains and tears can occur. Taking the right steps can mitigate the risk.

  • Consider implementing a morning stretch and flex routine. Many aftermarket workplaces have now implemented such an ergonomics program to provide an opportunity for technicians and mechanics to spend a few minutes stretching and flexing, to prepare the muscles and joints before the main work of the day begins.
  • Provide employee guidance and reminders on safe lifting technique, including taking advantage of the muscles of the legs, avoiding strain on the back and keeping heavy loads close to the body’s center of gravity.
  • Equip technicians and mechanics with the proper tools for lifting heavy loads, such as lifts, jacks, cranes, hoists and forklifts. Ensure employees are trained on their use. Lifting equipment is most important when loads 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.

2. Eye Hazards

An auto shop is home to many hazards that can result in an injury to the eye. The eye is a delicate structure and injuries can be serious, resulting in a loss of vision and a costly insurance claim. Rust particles, metal shavings, welding sparks, flying debris, splattered chemicals and high-pressure steam are a few of the top risks. Managing them is possible with the proper safety equipment.

  • Require all technicians and mechanics to wear appropriate safety glasses when performing any work tasks that could injure the eye.
  • Ensure your technicians and mechanics have eye protection that is comfortable to wear and have the right prescription lenses or anti-fog coating, if needed.

3. Chemical Hazards

Aftermarket businesses are stocked with a wide variety of chemicals that can be hazardous to human health. The risks range from mild skin irritation to chemical burns, fume inhalation, poisoning, fires and explosions. Proper labeling, training and procedures can minimize the risks.

  • Post up-to-date material safety data sheets for all chemicals used at your aftermarket business in a location where the information can be easily accessed in 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 all chemicals are properly stored and labeled. The original labels on hazardous chemicals often include the product name, supplier identification, warnings, pictograms, safe handling instructions and emergency information.
  • Require technicians and mechanics practice 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.

4. Sharp Object Hazards

Auto technicians and mechanics also face a significant risk from sharp objects within their environment. With sharp metal edges, fast-moving parts and high-powered machinery, it’s not difficult to see why about 1,000 injuries a year are reported involving serious cuts and lacerations. In some cases, these injuries may cause a technician or mechanic to lose a digit or a limb. Injuries such as these can then turn into an occupational disability, with the worker no longer able to perform the work they are skilled in and trained to do. Taking the right precautions can greatly reduce the risk of such an accident.

  • Train employees on the proper operation of equipment such as shears, grinders and presses.
  • Ensure that protective equipment guards are in place, and are not removed, altered or damaged.
  • Require technicians and mechanics to wear appropriate gloves and other PPE for operation of tools and equipment. Avoid loose-fitting clothing, dangling jewelry and unsecured long hairstyles that could become caught in moving parts.
  • Practice routine inspections of tools and equipment to ensure that they are in proper working order and stored in their proper location when not in use.

5. Fall Hazards

Daily life in an auto shop presents numerous opportunities for a technician or mechanic to fall down and get injured. 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 tripping and falling. Falls can result in cuts, broken bones or even head injuries. Minimizing the risk starts with simple steps.

  • Build awareness of slip, trip and fall hazards and ensure technicians and mechanics practice good housekeeping to keep walking paths clear of trash and storage.
  • Inspect 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.

Additional Front of Shop Fall Hazards

In the front of your shop, fall hazards are also a top concern. These hazards cause the majority of injuries to retail business customers, vendors and other third parties. While many of the same precautions apply, these other common hazards have been known to cause slip, trip and fall accidents.

  • Carpets, rugs and mats
  • Flooring tiles
  • Floor wax or cleaners
  • Dirty floors
  • Spilled liquids
  • Pooled water
  • Cracked or lifted concrete
  • Uneven outdoor terrain
  • Cords and wires
  • Congested walkways
  • Open drawers and cabinets
  • Doorstops
  • Holiday decorations
  • Potted plants and flowers
  • Animals and pets
  • Damaged stairs and ramps
  • Ladders and step stools
  • Damaged or missing handrails
  • Poor lighting
  • Obstructed visibility

The solution to minimizing these hazards follows a similar process to shop hazards. Be aware of potential hazards that may cause a fall, clear a safe walkway for travel, and keep floors, steps and other walkways clean, dry and in good repair. Signage to warn visitors about wet floors and unusual steps up or down also help.

Protection for Aftermarket Businesses

Auto shops, retailers and other aftermarket businesses face numerous risks. From customer complaints to employee tools and more, the right protection is necessary to fully protect your business from costly lawsuits.

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

Click here to learn more and protect your business today.