No matter what business or industry you work in, one of the most imperative things you need to address is how you can minimise risks and accidents within the workplace. This is incredibly important for garage mechanics, who encounter potential hazards when working with machinery on a daily basis. This article will provide insights into what you can to do mitigate risks in the workplace and the measures you can take to safeguard both employees and the business itself.
Understanding garage mechanic risks
As is the case with lots of jobs that involve manual labour, mechanics may face many different hazards in the workplace. It’s vital that the business as a whole is aware of what sort of potentially dangerous situations could arise for employees and how best to manage them by adhering to strict safety protocols.
Garages where mechanics will conduct repairs on vehicles are often filled with an array of toxic chemicals and hazardous materials, including cleaning agents, oils and fuels. These substances can be extremely toxic and often flammable, which could severely impact the health of employees should they come into contact with them in an unsafe manner. The air quality in many garages can also become poor due to the number of fumes that are emitted from the cars or machinery in the workplace, so it’s important the space is well-ventilated.
Other potential risks that one may encounter working as a mechanic in a garage involve physical injury, especially when working underneath a car that has been raised from the floor. Mechanics use a wide range of heavy machinery which, if used improperly, could result in serious injuries.
Implementing safety protocols
Strict safety protocols must be established within the workspace to ensure the safety of all employees and anyone else in the business who may come into contact with the garage or the machinery within it.
As previously mentioned, garages often carry a wide range of potentially toxic and hazardous substances, so ensure all staff know that they need to be stored in a secure location to avoid spillages which could result in trips or falls, and to wear PPE when handling such substances. The use of PPE will help reduce the risk of inhaling harmful chemicals and fumes too and will keep staff safe when using heavy machinery to avoid any potential physical injuries.
Training and education initiatives
Ensure all staff have received adequate training which is provided on a continuous basis to enhance their safety awareness and to be informed of any changes to regulations or safety protocols in the workplace.
Insurance
When working in a garage, it is vital that you have the correct motor trade insurance which could protect the business against any potential financial risks and liabilities. The repercussions of not having the correct insurance cover could have a devastating impact on your business and how it operates, so make sure the policy you choose is the perfect fit for your business.
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