Shop Safety — Read This First

Before you touch a vehicle, before you pick up a tool, before you do anything in a shop — understand this. A professional automotive shop contains equipment that can kill you in seconds if you do not respect it. Vehicles weigh 3,000 to 6,000 pounds. Engines spin at thousands of RPM. Electrical systems carry enough current to weld metal. Fluids are toxic, flammable, or both. Exhaust gases are poisonous. None of this is said to scare you. It is said because every safety rule exists because someone got hurt or killed.

Safety glasses — on your face every single time you are in the shop. Not on your forehead. Not in your pocket. On your face. A piece of rust, a metal shaving, a splash of solvent — any of these can permanently damage your eyes in an instant. Hearing protection when using air tools, impact guns, or working near running engines for extended periods. Nitrile gloves when handling fluids — brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, solvents, and fuel are all harmful with repeated skin contact. Steel-toed boots protect your feet from dropped tools and components. Long hair must be tied back. No loose clothing, no dangling jewelry, no neckties near rotating equipment. A spinning engine belt or rotating shaft will grab anything loose and pull you in before you can react.

Know where every fire extinguisher in the shop is located. Know which type — ABC rated for general shop use. Know how to use it — pull the pin, aim at the base of the flame, squeeze the handle, sweep side to side. Gasoline vapor is heavier than air and pools at floor level. A single spark from a grinder, a light switch, or static electricity can ignite gasoline vapor. Never use gasoline as a cleaning solvent. Never smoke anywhere near fuel systems. Keep oily rags in a covered metal container — oily rags piled together can spontaneously combust.

Read the Safety Data Sheet for any chemical you use. Brake cleaner, carburetor cleaner, and parts washing solvent are all toxic with repeated exposure. Use them in ventilated areas. Never use compressed air to blow brake dust — brake dust may contain asbestos on older vehicles. Use a dedicated brake parts washer or low-pressure wet cleaning. Battery acid is sulfuric acid — it burns skin and destroys clothing instantly. Coolant tastes sweet but is fatally toxic to animals and children. Clean up every spill immediately.