Safety Tips
Haydz
Moderator
I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread of safety tips for when you are working on your car. Post them up!
Haydz
Moderator
Comments
disconnecting the negative battery cable makes a big difference in getting shocked randomly too.
Allow exhaust to cool or be aware of hot exhaust piping if you are working in such areas.
Watch for hot oil when changing fluids when engine is warm.
Same goes for coolant, don't touch that radiator cap if there is even a chance it hasn't cooled sufficantly.
I don't let my buddies smoke around my cars as they are being worked on either.
Also be aware of where your legs are, only put any part of your body under a car supported by jack stands you are sure will support the car in a stable maner.
"never work on your exhaust naked" and "never set a cold beer on a hot radiator"
no one ever asked about the first one, second was self explanatory.
one thing i would add to this thread though, always wear your protective gear, even when it seems stupid. unless i'm changing my oil, i tend to always wear my safety glasses, had 1 too many instances of rust/dirt falling into my eyes to go without them
something for heat/sharp stuff and something for chemicals. I dunno if anyone of you have had paint stripper get blown all back over you. Its terribly unpleasant!
if you think its even a possiblity, just throw some on.
If I'm painting I go the whole route with gloves (rubber, vinyl, or nitrile, etc.), glasses, and a respirator. Not to mention good ventilation.
When I'm cutting or grinding with a dremel or otherwise kicking up a fair amount of dust or particulates I'll wear gloves (Mechanix fastfit), glasses and respirator and hearing protection.
Growing up as the son of a mechanic taught me the virtues of wearing a hat while working under things. That layer can be the difference between a bruise and stitches in your scalp.
Shooting handguns taught me that wearing a hat with a bill can help avoid hot things getting trapped inside your safety glasses (like hot brass shells).
Sheesh, I even protect my eyes, ears, and lungs when I cut the grass.
Or make you watch me clean your garage before we start......Ask Mr G, I made him do it.
LOL, you can come an clean my tools whenever you want... LOL, I'll watch!
oh yeah, I always give it a vigorous shake before I get under it!
In addition, have a plan in mind.
I did a monumentally STUPID thing tonight, and feel lucky to have survived relatively unscathed. I was removing the fuel tank from my wagon with a kerosene heater about 8 feet away. DUMB DUMB DUMB. When I first got home, I lit the heater, fully intending to put it out before draining any gas. I guess I forgot.
I was under the car letting the tank down when the fuel fumes flashed. The drain pan under the tank had about two gallons of gas in it, and my jacket and shirt were wet with fuel on my right arm. When it happened, it took a moment for me to realize what was happening.
I almost just ran away and let it burn. The fire was that big. Instead I ran and grabbed the big ABC extinguisher at the door of the shop and managed to put it out. Somewhere in there I shucked the flaming jacket. Don't remember that part, but it was off of me laying behind the car when the smoke cleared.
After discharging the extinguisher, visibility was near zero. I ran and raised the rollup door, then went back through the shop to turn on the ventilation fan in the back wall. That was probably the next stupidest move. I'm asthmatic, and that stuff is not nice. By the time I got the fan working, i was gasping for air at the fan, 32 feet from the open end of the shop. Not smart to go back in there...
I'm ok, just a little shaken, and sheepish. I know better.
Half my head is singed of hair, and one eyebrow. No skin burns to speak of.
I'll have the car running tomorrow, and still drive it on vacation next week.
Just to let you know, 12 volts is not sufficient to overcome the resistance in the human body. This means that the 12 volt batteries in a car cannot shock you. You can, however, short something out and get sparks (bad if gas is around), damage electrical components, or generate lots of heat and burn yourself or start a fire. So it is a good idea to disconnect the battery, but don't be afraid of getting shocked unless you are playing with the spark plug wires while the car is running or cranking. Those have a Much higher voltage (from 30,000 and up I believe). Still not dangerous for a healthy individual with no conditions that would make them sensitive to a small jolt (due to the extremely small amount of amperage accompanying it), but enough to wake you up!