Mistakes can happen in any workplace, including auto shops, and some mistakes can be quite costly in terms of injury. That is why it’s important to follow safety procedures and avoid common slip-ups to keep you and your colleagues safe at all times while working inside an auto shop.
At ATC Toronto, we take safety seriously when it comes to training our aspiring mechanics. When you attend our Automotive Technology Training Program, you will learn all the details about the automotive industry and the safety procedures required in an auto shop. Read on to learn the four common mistakes to avoid as a mechanic while working in the shop.
1. Watch Out for Bodily Tears, Strains, and Sprains
One of the most common mistakes mechanics make all the time is the constant overload of repetitive work without taking a break to relax or stretch the body. Auto mechanics have a passion for getting their hands dirty while repairing cars, and sometimes that gets in the way of remembering that the body can only manage a certain amount of hard work until it gives way to fatigue.
To prolong your productivity levels and avoid any injury from tears, strains, and sprains, auto mechanic school will teach you the safety techniques you can perform while at work. You’ll learn how to repair different car models while not overexerting yourself to work efficiently and safely throughout your career.
2. Working in Auto Careers Requires Careful Handling of Hazardous Materials
Auto careers are highly rewarding when you are dealing with complex tools and equipment to perform high-quality work on cars. However, auto mechanics often have to work with hazardous materials that may be corrosive or flammable. Injuries and burns can occur if the hazardous materials are mishandled by not wearing the proper gear, like gloves and protective glasses, and if the safety protocols in place aren’t followed. As an aspiring mechanic, you must make sure that the proper occupational health and safety regulations are followed, by labelling all the hazardous materials that are being used and making sure they are enclosed tightly to avoid any spoilage or leakage.
3. Take Care When Using Power-Operated Tools
Accidents that occur from using power-operated tools can easily be avoided if safety procedures are followed carefully. As an aspiring auto mechanic, you will regularly work with tools and equipment during your auto mechanic training at ATC Toronto. The correct handling of these tools will make all the difference to the safety of the work environment. You will be prepared to handle power-operated tools by following operating instructions, keeping safety guards in place, wearing protective gear, and storing the tools in a designated area. In doing so, you can service wheels, tires, hubs, bearings, and weld vehicle frames without risk of injury.
4. No One Wants to Slip, Trip, and Fall
Throughout your career, you’ll notice two versions of an auto shop: one that is well organized and tidy, and another which has materials, equipment and tools scattered all over the place. Equipment that isn’t properly stored in its designated area can lead to slips, trips and falls that may result in serious injury. Having liquids and cables on the shop floor can also lead to accidents that could have been easily avoided. When you clean the shop, store materials properly when a task is completed and wear the proper steel toes and anti-slip shoes to avoid the risk of serious injury to yourself and those around you.
Interested in automotive school?
Contact ATC Toronto for more information!