General Safety

Health & Safety

General Workshop Do's and Don'ts

Do use eye protection when using power tools, and when working under the vehicle.
Do wear gloves or use barrier cream to protect your hands when necessary.
Do get someone to check periodically that all is well when working alone on the vehicle.
Do keep loose clothing and long hair well out of the way of moving mechanical parts.
Do remove rings, wristwatch, etc, before working on the vehicle – especially the electrical system.
Do ensure that any lifting or jacking equipment has a safe working load rating adequate for the job.

Don't

Don’t rush to finish a job, or take unverified short cuts.
Don’t use ill-fitting tools which may slip and cause injury.
Don’t leave tools or parts lying around where someone can trip over them. Mop up oil and fuel spills at once.
Don’t allow children or pets to play in or near a vehicle being worked on.

Air conditioning system safety precautions

The hazards

When working with air conditioning systems, there are certain specific hazards, which require special precautions to be taken:

Refrigerant

Firstly, refrigerant evaporates rapidly when exposed to the atmosphere, causing it to freeze anything it contacts; this can cause severe frostbite and cold burns. Secondly, refrigerant forms a highly poisonous gas when exposed to an open flame; R12 forms phosgene (mustard) gas, and R134a forms hydrogen fluoride, both of which are deadly if inhaled. Additionally, refrigerant is poisonous in large quantities, and is heavier than air, which can cause hazards when working in an enclosed environment.

System pressure

The high side of an air conditioning system is under very high pressure, which will result in a high pressure penetrating jet of refrigerant if a leak occurs. This could cause severe injury to eyes and skin.

Compressor oils

The synthetic PAG oil used in R134a systems is poisonous, and extremely hygroscopic. It is easily absorbed through the skin, and will rapidly absorb moisture from the skin. Always wear non-absorbent gloves, and handle compressor oils with care.

Safety clothing

Always wear non-absorbent gloves, and eye protection, when carrying out any work on an air conditioning system (including connecting and disconnecting service equipment), or when handling refrigerants or compressor oils.
Always wear overalls or a protective coat, and don’t work with bare arms. Don’t be tempted to work with rolled-up sleeves, even on a hot day.
Wear safety shoes or boots when handling refrigerant cylinders. Refrigerant cylinders are heavy, and toes are fragile!

Related Articles

Spill Management

Vehicle Safety Technology

General Safety

Related Downloads

Welding Safety and Workshop Equipment (Haynes)

General Safety (Haynes)