Tire Dealers Association of Canada Convention - Autosphere

Job Safety—It’s No accident
Employees Who Can’t Work
Will Cost you the Most
Who’s the costliest employee in your shop? Don’t look at salaries, because it’s a trick question: it’s the one
who’s off work because of injury.
Everyone knows that repair shops are
dangerous, and that it’s essential to
train employees in proper procedures,
maintain a safe working environment, and
have a comprehensive Health & Safety
plan in place. But it’s also important to
identify potential hazards you may not
have considered.
Cages: essential for truck tires
When you’re working with truck tires, an
inflation cage is a “must.” A tire rupture at
these high pressures can be deadly, and
multi-piece rims should never be inflated
without one.
It’s equally important to ensure that it’s
installed correctly and that technicians
know how to use it. The cage must be
free-standing and at least three feet (one
metre) away from other objects; under no
circumstances should it be bolted to the
floor or placed too close to a wall. The
cage absorbs the energy of the rupturing
tire, and can deform if it’s bolted down.
It also doesn’t do much good if someone
is reaching in to inflate the tire. A clipon
chuck with an in-line valve must be
used, with enough air hose so that the
technician can stand a safe distance away.
Finally, the technician should always wear
safety glasses or a face shield, and inspect
the tire to ensure it’s seated before it’s
removed from the cage.
Treat compressed air with respect
Most people know that playing with com-
12 Tire News tn October 2008
pressed air for practical jokes is unacceptable,
but think it’s fine as a cleanup tool.
The air hose should never be used to blow
off clothes or work surfaces.
Blasting clothing with air won’t result
in bloodstream air embolisms, as some
believe, but it can force metal filings or
dirt into the skin, or blow them up into
the eyes. There’s also a risk of accidentally
pointing the hose at an eye or ear, which
can have serious consequences.
Using the air hose to sweep off a work
surface can send material flying, with the
risk of eye damage. Use a brush or broom
instead.
Back injuries: all too common
It’s estimated that eight out of ten people
will suffer a back injury at some time
in their lives; it’s almost impossible to
find a repair shop that hasn’t had an
employee out at some time with back or
knee injuries. Reasons for the prevalence
of these injuries include worker inexperience,
underestimating an object’s weight,
lifting improperly, or wanting to “get the
job done,” without waiting for others to
help or getting a mechanical device such
as a dolly.
Technicians should be taught the right
way to lift: squatting with the feet apart,
hugging the load to the body, lifting with
the legs, and turning the whole body to
change direction, not just twisting at the
waist.
Jil McIntosh
jil@ca.inter.net
While back belts are popular in many
industries, several medical studies found
that they made no difference. In some
cases, they provide a false sense of security,
leading workers to try to lift more.
A device that does make sense is hearing
protection. Auto shops are noisy, and our
ears don’t “build up” tolerance; if noise
doesn’t bother you like it once did, it’s
because your hearing is damaged, and
unlike other injuries, it will never heal or
reverse itself. Ear protection should be
readily available, and comfortable enough
that people will wear it.
Your employees are both among your
greatest assets and your biggest expenses;
their safety should be among your
primary concerns. tn