Techniques are used when lifting
And handling
Do not attempt to manually carry a load which you
cannot easily lift and which you cannot see above
and around. The maximum weight of load that you
should lift is 20 kilogrammes, but as a trainee this
may still be too heavy for you.
When you are lifting items from the floor always
keep your back straight and bend your knees.
Bending your back whilst lifting can cause back
injury. If you keep your feet slightly apart this will
improve your balance. It is always a good idea to
wear safety gloves when manually lifting.
Hoists and jacks are available for lifting vehicles;
hydraulic or chain-operated equipment is
available for lifting engines; hydraulic devices are
available to lift gearboxes. For moving equipment
and heavy components you should have either a
trolley or a sack-truck.
You are advised to seek the assistance of a colleague
when moving a heavy load even when you
are using lifting equipment.
Required personal protective
Clothing and equipment are worn
For designated activities and in
Designated areas
The following table lists typical items of personal
protective equipment (PPE) and states when they
must be worn.
PPE Usage
cotton overalls (boiler suit) all the time
safety footwear all the time
disposable gloves dealing with dirty or oily items
‘rubber gloves’ operating the parts cleaning
bath
reinforced safety gloves lifting heavy/sharp edged
items
dust mask rubbing down body filler or
dusty items
breathing apparatus and certain types of spray painting
paper coveralls
goggles using a grinder or drill
waterproof overalls steam or pressure cleaning
and boots
You will often see safety notices requiring you to
wear certain PPE in some areas at all times, this is
because other people are working in the area and you
may be at risk. Hard hats are sometimes required
when working underneath vehicles on a hoist.
Injuries involving individuals are
Reported immediately to competent
first aiders and/or appropriate
Authorized persons and appropriate
Interim support is organized to
Minimize further injury
Should there be an accident the first thing to do is
call for help. Either contact your supervisor or a
known first aid person. Should any of these not be
available, and it is felt appropriate, call for your
local doctor or an ambulance.
You are not expected to be a first aid expert, nor
are you advised to attempt to give first aid unless
you are properly qualified. However, as a professional
in the motor industry you should be able to
preserve the scene, that is, prevent further injury and
make the injured person comfortable. The following
points are suggested as ones worth remembering:
1 Switch off any vehicle or power source.
2 Do not move the person if injury to the back or
neck is suspected.
3 In the case of electric shock turn off the electricity
supply.
4 In the case of a gas leak, turn off the gas
supply.
5 Do not give the person any drink or food, especially
alcohol, in case surgery is needed.
6 Keep the person warm with a blanket or coat.
80Repair of Vehicle Bodies
7 If a wound is bleeding heavily, apply pressure
to the wound with a clean bandage to reduce
the loss of blood.
8 If a limb has been trapped, use a safe jack to
free the limb.
Visitors are alerted to potential
Hazards
The best policy is not to let customers into the
workshop – many garages have a notice to this
effect on the workshop door. For MOT purposes
garages must have a customer viewing area.
However, it is not always possible to keep people
out of the workshop. Insurance company assessors
and RAC/AA engineers will probably also require
entry to the workshop as well as some customers
who are concerned about their vehicles. So, before
allowing them into the workshop you should warn
them of potential hazards. For instance the dangers
of oil and grease and the requirement to wear a
hard hat.
It is always a good idea to accompany customers
when they are in the workshop, this way you can
advise them in the event that they may do something
potentially dangerous or if there is a hazard
of which they may not be readily aware.