Workplaces - Workshops

Injuries often occur when working in workshops or carrying out off-site service calls as a result of workshop responsibilities.

Manual handling injuries are the most common type of injury occurring in workshops. Injuries occur from:

• handling heavy or awkward objects
• heavy lifting, and
• prolonged or sustained work in awkward postures.

Injuries occur across all types of plant and equipment repair, maintenance or installation work, and on all types of plant, equipment or vehicles.

Risk Factors

Risks are numerous and include:

• vehicles falling from hoists or jacks,
• being hit by a passing vehicle while carrying out roadside work,
• tyres exploding during inflation,
• long-term effects of breathing fumes from solvents and paints,
• exposure to heat and cold,
• housekeeping, or
• exposure to hazardous substances.

While there may be risks associated with this type of work, these risks can be avoided.

Key Success Factors in Managing Workplace Safety

The following safety guidelines apply to maintenance workshops:

• Report ALL hazards and unsafe conditions and work practices. 
• Only qualified or trained personnel to use equipment.
• Keep the workshop clean and tidy at all times.
• Always seek instruction before using an unfamiliar piece of equipment.
• Only use tools and machines for their intended purpose.
• Report all damaged equipment and do not use it until it has been repaired by a qualified person.
• Where machine guards are provided they must be kept in place.
• Never distract the attention of another staff member when that person is operating equipment and never indulge in horseplay.
• Always use the appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Long hair needs to be restrained.
• Never use compressed air for cleaning clothing and machinery.
• A set of written instructions that identify the health and safety issues that may arise from the jobs and tasks that make up a system of work must be available to employees.