Occupational safety and health is very important to ensure that everyone can work without being injured. Governments normally have legislation in place, with significant penalties for those who do not follow safe practices in the workplace. Potential hazards are in most workplaces, especially automotive shops. It is important to learn about hazards so you can identify them and take action to protect yourself and your coworkers (FIGURE 3-I ).
Some hazards are obvious, such as vehicles falling from hoists or jacks, or tires exploding during inflation. Other hazards are less obvious, such as the long-term effects of breathing fumes from solvents. There are many things to learn about safety in the automotive shop, but it is impossible to cover every situation you will encounter. One of the most important skills to learn is the ability to recognize unsafe practices or equipment and put in place measures to prevent injuries from happening.
Occupational safety and health is everyone’s responsibility. You have a responsibility to ensure that you work safely and take care not to put others at risk by acting in an unsafe manner. Your employer also has a responsibility to provide a safe working environment. To ensure the safety of yourself and others, make sure you are aware of the correct safety procedures at your work- place. This means listening very carefully to safety information provided by your employer and asking for clarification, help, or instructions if you are unsure how to perform a task safely. Always think about how you are performing shop tasks, be on the lookout for unsafe equipment and work practices, and wear the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE refers to items of safety equipment like safety footwear, gloves, clothing, protective eyewear, and hearing protection (FIGURE 3-2).
