SafeJary

What’s in Your Shop?

A repair shop can be hot bed for hazards. I have yet to walk through one where I didn’t find numerous hazards. Admittedly, I can most likely find issues in my own shop. We try to get all the life out of a tool that we can, wondering when that old weld might break, or when you will have to finally replace that power tool or electrical cord.

As a farmer, rancher, equipment owner, or just do it yourself mechanic, you can keep your tools in any shape you desire, but hire just one employee, and then you must follow OSHA Safety Standards. There are countless issues in repair shops, and we will touch on some common concerns in this article.

Let’s start with that fire extinguisher hanging near the door; is the extinguisher a multi-class ABC type extinguisher? Does the gauge show charged? Has it ever been serviced? Certainly, a fire extinguisher will last years without requiring any service. Yet, if you have employees there are OSHA Standards and fire codes that you must abide by; has it received its required annual service, and when was the last monthly check documented on the back of the tag? Do you have an adequate number of ABC fire extinguishers? At a minimum, there should be one mounted at least every 50 feet in your shop.

Have you ever attempted to use a fire extinguisher and none of the extinguishing agent came out, even when the gauge showed charged? After sitting, the extinguishing powder often settles at the bottom of the extinguisher. This is especially true with extinguishers mounted on equipment or in your truck. It’s a good practice to remove the extinguisher from its bracket every month or so, and take a “Rubber” mallet to the bottom of the extinguisher. It will take several firm strikes before the powder will break free, you will notice a change in the tone when the powder breaks loose. If this isn’t done from time to time, the extinguisher may very well prove to be worthless in the event of a fire.

Note: Never strike the extinguisher at or near the nozzle or gauge end.

There are always a few damaged extension cords hanging on a nail. Extension cords need to be grounded, and wires can’t be showing from either plug end. Cords damaged with wires pulled from the insulation, or burned by a hot chunk of slag need to have new ends, or should be replaced. Unfortunately, electrical tape isn’t a safe fix.

Quality electrical extension cords are not cheap, so taking care of them will save you some of that hard earned money. The most common causes of cord damage are: Unplugging the cord by tugging on the cord, and not pulling it loose from the receptacle by grasping the cord’s end. • Leaving cords strung out when not in use, allowing equipment to drive over them, tools to fall on them, or hot slag to melt them. • Carrying tools by the tool’s cord, instead of the handle. • Using an extension cord as a permanent power supply. This overheats cords causing them to become brittle, and may damage tools and electric motors.

Drop lights and work lights should always be guarded. OSHA requires that all lighting be guarded when mounted below 7 feet, or in places where fixtures may be in contact with equipment or storage materials. This is a very common hazard found in upper storage areas.

Here are some other common electrical hazards: Electrical junction boxes, light switches, and receptacles are often found with damaged or missing covers creating an electrocution hazard. • Loose electrical conduit or boxes. • Breaker panels blocked by equipment or tools. Panels should always remain accessible. • Open holes wear breaker switches once existed. Covers should be installed at any open breaker positions, and each breaker should have identifying labels.

Check your floor jacks, engine hoists, and lifts for leaks, and make sure they are labeled with their weight capacities. Quite often the labels are worn off, easily fixed by paint or a marking pen. Using an under-rated jack is a recipe for disaster. Always remind yourself and others that jacks should never be used by themselves, and that safety support stands are required to be used in coincidence with any hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical jack.

Compressed air systems are always a safety concern. Air hoses are often damaged because they were not properly put away after each use. It is not uncommon to find PVC for air distribution lines in a shop. PVC is not intended for compressed air, and using it for this purpose is extremely dangerous. This is why it is very important to use only approved materials for air lines. If you have employees, air nozzles must be equipped with an OSHA approved by-pass. Oh, and check that air compressor guard, it is often missing from the compressor belt and pulley.

Speaking of guards, tool and equipment guards should always remain in-place. I find bench grinders to be one of the most common tools with guarding issues, and those grinders are also one of the most common hazards resulting in an OSHA citation. All shafts, chains, pulleys, belts, catch points and pinch points must be properly guarded to prevent injuries.

As well as being properly guarded, power tools such as; grinders, chop saws, and drill presses need to be secured to the work surface in which they rest. Too many people have been injured by a drill press tipping over while drilling a hole, or a bench grinder vibrating across the bench while grinding.

Through administrative safety rules, safe work practices, and engineering controls you can reduce nearly all the hazards in your shop, but there will always be unforeseen hazards. For this reason, personal protective equipment is your last line of defense.

Make it a practice to always use personal protective equipment. Safety Glasses, goggles, and hearing protection are cheap, especially when you compare the costs of an injury.

They make very comfortable eye and hearing protection that can be worn every day. Sun glasses are available with approved safety lenses, and after worn you can’t tell the difference. I have found that they greatly reduce side glare over regular sun glasses. Wearing personal protective equipment should become second nature. When worn all the time, you don’t have to experience the hazard to remind you to wear them, because they’re already in place.

Good housekeeping is certainly one of the best proactive safety practices. Keeping a shop in a clean and organized fashion will most certainly reduce accidents. Not to mention the slip, trips and falls, equipment damage, and fire hazards. Good housekeeping is a subject all on its own…

Stay Safe,
Jary

Author Jary D. Winstead
Work Safety Services, LLC
SAFEJARY@aol.com
www.worksafetyservices.com

The author gives Farm and Ranch News first North American serial rights for this article.