As an
auto body shop employee, you already know what kinds of risks are associated
with your job. Auto body shops present a variety of hazards, including the use
of dangerous chemicals, exposure to paint fumes, exposure to sanding dust,
metal fumes from welding and cutting, hearing damage from excessive noise, the
potential for oil or grease spills leading to slips and falls, flying debris,
electrical exposures and the general peril of working with large, heavy
machinery.
Though
you are well aware of these dangers, customers visiting your garage or shop
probably do not fully understand the potential risks. Because customers are not
equipped with training or proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and you
may be liable for any injuries incurred in the shop, it is important to take
proper measures to keep them safe.
Take the Safe Route
Your best
bet for keeping customers free from injury is to keep them in the designated
waiting areas and away from the garage altogether. It is recommended that you
make sure signs indicate employee-only zones to warn customers of potential
hazards in entering the shop floor.
A good
rule of thumb is to take customers into the garage only when it is absolutely
vital to completing the job. Remember that if your company is indeed liable for
customers’ injuries while inside the garage, you might be better off discussing
repairs away from potential auto shop hazards.
Factors to Consider
If you
decide that taking a customer back into the shop and away from the designated
waiting areas is the only feasible option, here are some things to consider:
- Be sure the shop is clean
and orderly. Clean up all oil, grease and water spills promptly, and
remove all tools or other objects left in walking paths. Make sure there
are no exposed sharp edges around the shop where visiting customers could
cut themselves.
- Check frame straightening
machines and hydraulic pressure hoses regularly for signs of excessive
wear to prevent the possibility of chain snapping.
- Make sure the areas of the
shop where the customer visits are properly ventilated and free of any
harmful fumes.
- Ask that the customer keep
any food or drinks in the designated waiting area, as any dust from the
shop could potentially contaminate these items.