Safety in...

Tyre and Exhaust Centres

Tyre and exhaust centres can be extremely hazardous places. The following details highlight some of the hazards and risks that may exist and the steps that you can take to prevent accidents. This list can be used as a starting point in assisting you to complete a risk assessment.

• Slips, Trips and Falls
• Fumes
• Welding
• Lifting Equipment
• Working with Wheels and Tyres
• Split - Rim Wheels

Slips, Trips and Falls

Falls may be caused by spillages of oil and water and also by poor housekeeping, e.g. trailing cables and airlines, or tyres, tubes, etc. being improperly stored.

Managing the risk:

• Keep all floors, passages, steps and gangways free form obstruction.
• Clean up spillages immediately.
• Provide sufficient electrical socket outlets to avoid trailing cables.
• Ensure all parts of the premises are well lit.

Fumes

Vehicle exhaust fumes are toxic.

Managing the risk:

• Do not run vehicle engines indoors for prolonged periods unless a ventilation system is provided to extract exhaust fumes.

Welding

Welding operations can give rise to risks such as burns, eye damage from metal fragments, sparks, etc., and fire damage due to accidental ignition.

Managing the risk:

• Ensure all oxyacetylene equipment has a flashback flame arrestor and a non return valve.
• Ensure visual pressure gauges/volume indicators are fitted.
• Inspect welding equipment regularly (particularly the welding tip and hosing) for signs of wear.
• Secure all acetylene cylinders in the upright position and protect from damage in racks or trolleys.
• Train staff in safe working procedures and provide suitable protective equipment such as goggles, gloves and overalls.
• Change cylinders away from sources of ignition.

Lifting Equipment

Misuse or failure of equipment such as jacks and lifting devices can lead to extremely serious injuries and even death.

Managing the risk:

• Use axle props to support raised vehicles, never let anyone work beneath a vehicle that is only supported by a jack or jacks.
• Ensure appropriate pins are used in props.
• Ensure all lifting devices are marked with the maximum safe working load and that these loads are not exceeded.
• Ensure that a periodic thorough examination of all lifting devices is carried out by a competent person regularly and that any defects are repaired immediately.
• Inspection pits should be phased out in favour of purpose built vehicle lifts.

Working with Wheels and Tyres

Air blasts from over inflation of car tyres can lead to very serious injuries.

Managing the risk:

• Raise and support vehicles safely.
• Remove valve core to deflate tyres.
• Inflate tyres to correct pressure (see suppliers instructions)
• Use an air line with a dead man's handle.
• Never weld or flame cut a wheel to which a tyre is fitted.
• Train staff in good lifting techniques.

Split - Rim Wheels

Fortunately this type of wheel is now becoming less common. However work with such wheels is one of the most hazardous activities in this type of business due to the fact that they are constructed of several components and the higher pressures involved.

Managing the risk:

• Before removing any divided wheel from a vehicle ensure it is completely deflated by removing the valve core.