Manual handling injuries are one of the most common type of injuries occurring in motor vehicle workshops. The injuries occur from handling heavy or awkward objects, heavy lifting, and prolonged or sustained work in awkward postures. Many of these cause back injuries. This injury trend occurs across all types of vehicle repair, maintenance or installation work, and on all types of vehicles.
If equipment exists to reduce the risk of sprains, stresses and manual handling injuries – the return on investment for purchasing this type of equipment will be lower risks, and most importantly healthier workers.
Slips, trips and falls
The next most common category of injury is slips, trips and falls, usually from floors in substandard condition. These injuries are easily preventable and effective housekeeping activities will considerably reduce the potential for slips, trips and falls.
What you can do
- Keep ALL leads off the floor and stored away when not in use
- Use retractable reels as often as possible.
- Make sure that power and pneumatic outlets are located close to the service area
- Clean up spills immediately including water. Use absorbent material to soak up spills
- Make sure spill kits are easily accessible.
- Regularly conduct checks on surface coating of floors and make sure that any non-slip coating is effective.
- Use the SAFER technique to act on risks as they are identified.
- Have a clean floor policy and make sure workers know what to do and how to do it.
Do the work, clean up. Do the work, clean up.
Can your clients eat off the floor in your workshop right now? If not, Why not?
Work SAFER. See it, assess it, fix it, evaluate it and review it.
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