grober
MB Master
I hesitated before starting this thread, but having posted recently on the hazards of inhaling brake dust in the post on “Quote for Discs and Pad replacement” in the Wheels and Tyres section of this forum, I decided to go ahead to perhaps stimulate a bit of discussion on the subject. Yes the subject is SAFETY. This is an immediate turn off for some people but it is not my intention to scare people witless. I do think we should recognise the hazards of DIY as well as the undoubted economic advantages and pleasure of a well maintained vehicle. This is especially important for the inexperienced "newbie" who is unaware or some of the “pitfalls” literal or other wise.
I will start with the obvious NO ACTIVITY IS ENTIRELY FREE OF RISK BUT SOME ACTIVITIES ARE MORE HAZARDOUS THAN OTHERS! Car maintenance probably falls into the low to medium risk category with both immediate and long term risks to health. Here is a brief list.
IMMEDIATE RISK.
1. FATIGUE, what!!! More accidents are caused by fatigue than anything else. Fatigue clouds judgement, makes you cut corners, makes you clumsy, take risks and generally perform below your best mentally and physically. So give yourself the time and energy to do the job properly. Get the assistance of a mate, they don’t need to know much about cars but can be invaluable to the fatigue problem.
2. Gravity. Cars are heavy. Mercs are heavier! If you are working under a car make sure it’s supported well with jacks, axle stands, stout blocks of wood etc. etc. Raise it on level solid ground when at all possible and chock the wheels. Every year people die or receive nasty crush injuries when cars fall on them.
3. Pressure. Modern injection systems particularly diesels produce such high pressures they can “INJECT” fuel subcutaneously if they leak. This does you body chemistry no good and could be fatal!!!
4. Voltage. Modern ignition systems can give you a severe ELECTRIC SHOCK. Think being hit on the back of the head with a large blunt object if you want to imagine what it feels like.
5. Heat. Engines get hot!!! Exhausts get hotter! Coolants can scald, remember they are UNDER PRESSURE. Discs and pads can get very hot after prolonged use or if faulty. Engine and gearbox oil can get dangerously hot also.
6. Acid burn. Battery acid is corrosive WEAR EYE PROTECTION. Batteries also give of hydrogen which is explosive in a confined space.
7. Carbon monoxide poisoning. Avoid running or working on your car in a confined or poorly ventilated space. Fuel vapour is poisonous if inhaled in sufficient quantity.
8. Poisoning. Antifreeze, hydraulic-brake fluid and diesel fuel and petrol should never be siphoned by mouth. Avoid skin contact if at all possible. Air conditioning refrigerant can form a poisonous gas in contact with a naked flame e.g. a cigarette BUT YOU WONT BE SMOKING ANYWAY RIGHT! Because of:-
9. Fire. Naked flames electrical sparks welding etc. etc. Causing fire or explosion.
10. Explosion. Special care to be taken when working with air bag systems. MAKE SURE THEY ARE DISARMED before removing the steering wheel or facia.
11. Tetanus. Keep those tetanus shots up to date. Remember there’s a lot of SH*T under your car usually just where that open ended spanner slips off the nut you are in the process of tightening.
LONG TERM RISK.
1. Brake dust inhalation. Increased risk of developing lung fibrosis, asbestosis, or allergic reactions. USE A GOOD QUALITY CERTIFIED FACE MASK. A nuisance type mask from Band Q is not good enough try a good motor factor.
2. Used oil contamination. Frequent bodily contact with hydrocarbons and in particular used engine oil increases the risk of Scrotal cancer. WEAR DISPOSABLE GLOVES AND CLEAN OVERALLS.
3. Unleaded petrol. Unleaded petrol and diesel contain aromatic hydrocarbons which are carcinogenic! AVOID PROLONGED CONTACT WITH SKIN.
4. Hydrofluoric acid. Some types of O-ring,oil seal, fuel hose etc are make of a type of synthetic rubber. When this is exposed to temperatures greater than 400 degrees C it degrades to a charr containing a type of acidic compound Hydrofluoric acid. If this gets on your skin it will cause ulceration which does not heal EVER!!! This may require amputation of the effected part. You would only come across this probably in a fired damaged vehicle.
That’s the ones I can remember! If you are a regular DIY guy you probably know most of these anyway. There might be one or two you didn’t know about or forgotten and if so this post has served its purpose. If you are sensible and wear adequate protection, face mask, disposable gloves, a good boiler suit and protective goggles, employ safe working practices, work in a well ventilated, well lit environment, with the right equipment for the job, you can reduce these risks to acceptable levels in the short and long term. I would direct this particularly to the younger members of this forum. Older members such as myself have probably been exposed to many of these hazards and lived to tell the tale but if I had my time over, I for one, would attempt to minimise my level of risk as much as possible. WORK SAFE AND ENJOY YOUR DIY.
I will start with the obvious NO ACTIVITY IS ENTIRELY FREE OF RISK BUT SOME ACTIVITIES ARE MORE HAZARDOUS THAN OTHERS! Car maintenance probably falls into the low to medium risk category with both immediate and long term risks to health. Here is a brief list.
IMMEDIATE RISK.
1. FATIGUE, what!!! More accidents are caused by fatigue than anything else. Fatigue clouds judgement, makes you cut corners, makes you clumsy, take risks and generally perform below your best mentally and physically. So give yourself the time and energy to do the job properly. Get the assistance of a mate, they don’t need to know much about cars but can be invaluable to the fatigue problem.
2. Gravity. Cars are heavy. Mercs are heavier! If you are working under a car make sure it’s supported well with jacks, axle stands, stout blocks of wood etc. etc. Raise it on level solid ground when at all possible and chock the wheels. Every year people die or receive nasty crush injuries when cars fall on them.
3. Pressure. Modern injection systems particularly diesels produce such high pressures they can “INJECT” fuel subcutaneously if they leak. This does you body chemistry no good and could be fatal!!!
4. Voltage. Modern ignition systems can give you a severe ELECTRIC SHOCK. Think being hit on the back of the head with a large blunt object if you want to imagine what it feels like.
5. Heat. Engines get hot!!! Exhausts get hotter! Coolants can scald, remember they are UNDER PRESSURE. Discs and pads can get very hot after prolonged use or if faulty. Engine and gearbox oil can get dangerously hot also.
6. Acid burn. Battery acid is corrosive WEAR EYE PROTECTION. Batteries also give of hydrogen which is explosive in a confined space.
7. Carbon monoxide poisoning. Avoid running or working on your car in a confined or poorly ventilated space. Fuel vapour is poisonous if inhaled in sufficient quantity.
8. Poisoning. Antifreeze, hydraulic-brake fluid and diesel fuel and petrol should never be siphoned by mouth. Avoid skin contact if at all possible. Air conditioning refrigerant can form a poisonous gas in contact with a naked flame e.g. a cigarette BUT YOU WONT BE SMOKING ANYWAY RIGHT! Because of:-
9. Fire. Naked flames electrical sparks welding etc. etc. Causing fire or explosion.
10. Explosion. Special care to be taken when working with air bag systems. MAKE SURE THEY ARE DISARMED before removing the steering wheel or facia.
11. Tetanus. Keep those tetanus shots up to date. Remember there’s a lot of SH*T under your car usually just where that open ended spanner slips off the nut you are in the process of tightening.
LONG TERM RISK.
1. Brake dust inhalation. Increased risk of developing lung fibrosis, asbestosis, or allergic reactions. USE A GOOD QUALITY CERTIFIED FACE MASK. A nuisance type mask from Band Q is not good enough try a good motor factor.
2. Used oil contamination. Frequent bodily contact with hydrocarbons and in particular used engine oil increases the risk of Scrotal cancer. WEAR DISPOSABLE GLOVES AND CLEAN OVERALLS.
3. Unleaded petrol. Unleaded petrol and diesel contain aromatic hydrocarbons which are carcinogenic! AVOID PROLONGED CONTACT WITH SKIN.
4. Hydrofluoric acid. Some types of O-ring,oil seal, fuel hose etc are make of a type of synthetic rubber. When this is exposed to temperatures greater than 400 degrees C it degrades to a charr containing a type of acidic compound Hydrofluoric acid. If this gets on your skin it will cause ulceration which does not heal EVER!!! This may require amputation of the effected part. You would only come across this probably in a fired damaged vehicle.
That’s the ones I can remember! If you are a regular DIY guy you probably know most of these anyway. There might be one or two you didn’t know about or forgotten and if so this post has served its purpose. If you are sensible and wear adequate protection, face mask, disposable gloves, a good boiler suit and protective goggles, employ safe working practices, work in a well ventilated, well lit environment, with the right equipment for the job, you can reduce these risks to acceptable levels in the short and long term. I would direct this particularly to the younger members of this forum. Older members such as myself have probably been exposed to many of these hazards and lived to tell the tale but if I had my time over, I for one, would attempt to minimise my level of risk as much as possible. WORK SAFE AND ENJOY YOUR DIY.
or if your still thinking or setting up on your own Ian sat in your shed with a cup of coffee 
and common sense is almost as important as mechanical knowledge.
hense saftey person.
