Garage Safety

[glemon]

If used motor oil is the most toxic common automotive product that can come in contact with your skin I guess I am lucky to be alive. Never heard that one before. Maybe it is true, but if so wow.


I know I should do it more often, but have never liked working on cars in gloves, I just like the extra feel, starting nuts in hard to reach place etc.

I hav not tried it but I undestand there is a product they sell for artists to keep their hands clean which coats your hands with a removable protective coating no idea if it is proof against chemicals, doubt if it is better than gloves.

Definitely agree about eye protection, had the first piece of metal stuck in my eye last year after years of being lucky--much irritation, althouhg the fix from the ete doc wasn't too bad.

Important to find something that protects you but you feel comfortable working in it, at least for me, if I am not comfortable working in it I am likely to discard it.

You may think I have a cavalier attitude about safety but I have come a long way from the days of working under the old Sprite using a pile of bricks as jack stands (kids don't try this at home)

 

[TR3driver]

Used motor oil is the most dangerous fluid used in a vehicle.

Er, Doug, didn't you mean <span style="font-weight: bold">least </span>dangerous ? While I wouldn't suggest drinking it (gives you the runs); it seems pretty harmless compared to say, battery acid, gasoline or even antifreeze (can you say permanent kidney damage?)

 

[DougF]

The study I read stated that used motor oil has more toxins and carcinogens than any other fluid. After thousands of miles, the engine sucks in a lot of crud that makes a mixture that is pretty toxic.
As far as battery acid, I think the report was limited to fluids held within the vehicle.
I would have guessed gasoline or anti freeze also. Personally, I wouldn't want to drink any of them, though I've consumed more than my share of gasoline over the years.

 

[AngliaGT]

Also,tighten any nuts/bolts right away,not
"when I get back to it" - like lug nuts.Don't ask
me why I know this.
Put your old clothes on BEFORE going out to
the garage ("I just want to check one little thing").
It's no fun explaining to the Wife how you ruined a
new shirt.
Slow down,& double check your work.

- Doug

 

[TR3driver]

The study I read stated that used motor oil has more toxins and carcinogens than any other fluid.

Ok, I might buy that. But "more toxins" is not the same as "more toxic". And AFAIK, the studies showing that used motor oil is carcinogenic have all been "long term exposure" on lab rats. Basically they paint the skin and keep it wet for most of the rat's lifetime. Might be a little different for a human getting it down his arm 2-3 times/year and washing it off promptly.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]As far as battery acid, I think the report was limited to fluids held within the vehicle.[/QUOTE]You lost me there. How is the battery case any more or less "within the vehicle" than the oil pan?

 

[WA1KWA]

All good tips.

Also, wear long sleeved cotton or other natural materials, yes, cotton will burn, but, synthetics will melt on your skin with horrific results.

Please don't use non-impact sockets, extentions, etc. on impact tools. This is a particular pet peeve of mine & I see it quite often on those DIY shows on TV, from supposed 'experts'.

Second pet peeve on those shows is when they weld with no eye/face protection, just turn their head away.

Off of soap box.

There's a lot of things working around a car that can KILL you. Please think safety.

Colin

 

[Eric]

Get rid of those incandescent trouble lights and buy a enclosed fluorescent type, although not rated for contact with gas, they are safer.

This is advice I've tried to take, but have never found one that is satisfactory. I find if they're cold, they take several minutes to light and then only give off a sick, greenish glow that is virtually useless. Has anyone found one that actually works? Not all of us have heated shops.

For me the biggest safety concern in the garage is leaving invoices where the wife can find them....

 

[TR3driver]

Doesn't get all that cold here, but my fluorescent drop light doesn't have any trouble even when the overhead ones do. Bought it at Home Depot, but they don't seem to carry it any more. However, it looks near enough identical to the Bayco SL-975 that I'm pretty sure it was made by them. But mine only has a 6' cord (which works well with the overhead cord reel I use it with).

 

[TR4A_IRS]

There are a lot of LED alternatives to the flourescent drop lights that are really nice. They are still pretty expensive, but worth it, IMHO.

 

[glemon]

My cheapo Harbor Freight flourescent trouble light seems to work fine even when its cold, it replaced a similar looking sears unit that also worked fine until a squished it. Though not life threatening, probably had more minor injuries (burns) from my old trouble light with a metal back reflective plate than any other auto shop source, man those things get hot.

I second the idea of tightening the nuts right away, I also take a last quick tug at all of them before finishing a job or buttoning something up these days just to make sure all are tight and I didn't forget anything.

 

[KVH]

Tell me more:

A drop of what fluid can blind an eye? I've never heard of that. Brake fluid? Gear oil?

Exploding grinding wheels? Really?

 

[vagt6]

Hot oil or antifreeze or gear lube; road debris (often nasty stuff); a hot electrical wire; battery acid, windscreen wiper fluid (very dangerous stuff); road chemicals (salt/de-icing chemicals): practically any of these could potentially ruin your vision or cause a bad infection of the eye, potentially leading to permanent eye damage.

Or, a nut, bolt or screw, etc., can fall from above or fly off from something being forced, right into your face/eyeball! Or, a hose could burst and spray steam, hot liquid or fluid suddenly into your face/eye. And when working on the car with both hands occupied, it's often hard to dodge or block a falling/flying object.

Point is, <span style="text-decoration: underline">you don't have to find out the hard way</span> if you ALWAYS were eye and/or face protection. Always is the operative word: the one time you don't wear PPE (personal protective equipment) is the time that you'll be injured.

Murphy's law.

 

[Number_6]

Besides a face mask, use heavy work clothes like leather when welding. I've had welding sparks burn straight through a heavy insulated cloth work suit, work shirt and t-shirt beneath to give me some nasty burns when mig-welding.

I've never had a grinding wheel shatter(yet) but I've had cutting wheels frequently shatter. Just twist it a little bit while cutting and it'll break.

 

[71MKIV]

The chances of setting your underwear on fire are inversly proportional to the quality of the bead you are currently making.

In other words, you fight all morning to get something to work, and halfway through you smell the hot dryer smell, and sure enough it's you.

 

[Mark Jones]

Besides a face mask, use heavy work clothes like leather when welding. I've had welding sparks burn straight through a heavy insulated cloth work suit, work shirt and t-shirt beneath to give me some nasty burns when mig-welding.

I can't believe the guys on shows like Chop/Cut/Rebuild welding in shorts, t-shirt and no gloves. Everytime I go to weld I put on my Nomex coveralls and leather gauntlet gloves.

 

[vagt6]

Me too, Mark. Those guys set an absolutely terrible example to all us amateur wrenchers by ignoring safety gear.

I guess being safe isn't "macho" enough to sell advertising for such shows?

Really too bad.

 

[Number_6]

Yeah, I've seen that, I guess from years of welding the scar tissue has built up so they've skin like leather. No matter how much protection I'd wear It always seems those welding sparks would still find a place to get me. Down the back of my neck seemed to be the favorite place.

 

[DougF]

Along with the clothing for welding is eyewear. I had a customer welding with no protection at all one day when I stopped by. He said his eyes were damaged in his youth by the sun and he couldn't see through a helmet. Blew my mind. I did sell him a variable shade helmet.
I went to a welding seminar through work. The fellow I was partnered with wouldn't notify me when he was ready to strike an arc. After a few times, I would just get away from him as soon as he grabbed a rod. But, I still managed to get the old "sand in the eye" flash burns. If there is someone else in the area while you are welding, warn them before you strike an arc.

 

[PATR8]

I have my drivewat safety story. I was changing the tires on my Dodge Ram (285/75/16) I had unbolted the tire and laid the tire iron down. I pulled the tire off and not paying attention I leaned the tire over and let it drop the last few inches. Some how the edge of the tire hit the wedge point of the tire iron propelling it up over the tire and the wedge point struck me on the upper lip. The tire iron blew my upper lip apart requiring plastic surgery. The odds of the tire hitting the tire iron just at the right spot and letting it fly just the right angle and the just perfect part of the tire iron striking me.

The surgeon stated if the tire iron had hit me in the teeth or eye it may had been fatal with force it was flying.

My lesson is the stupid seemingly impossible things are the ones that always seem to hurt me.

 

[billspit]

Besides a face mask, use heavy work clothes like leather when welding. I've had welding sparks burn straight through a heavy insulated cloth work suit, work shirt and t-shirt beneath to give me some nasty burns when mig-welding.

I can't believe the guys on shows like Chop/Cut/Rebuild welding in shorts, t-shirt and no gloves. Everytime I go to weld I put on my Nomex coveralls and leather gauntlet gloves.

There should be a HUGE disclaimer on all these shows, as none use any form of personal protective equipment (PPE).


I suggest hearing protection too.