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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6832
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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 Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 11:21 pm Post subject: What are your "Habits of Safety" when working? |
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I put these down in answer to another post and thought they might be a good topic on it's own.
So these are some of my habits when working around anything when I'm most dangerous...when I have a tool in my hand!
"Teach him the habits of safety because these will carry over into other parts of life and something like having a fire extinguisher on hand may work well in his home someday,(hopefully never needed.)
Things like using a battery operated drill-pick it up and drill a hole then take the drill bit out when you set it down. There always seeming out of balance in how they sit and they fall easily. The drill bit is usually hits something important when they fall! or if you have a Fly-Cutter bit in there. They are sharp and pointy. With the twist on Chucks it is only a second to put back in.
Using a Nut Driver on hose clamps-better secure fit and not going to slip out like a common/flat blade screwdriver that will go into the palm of your hand.
How to safely put the vehicle on jack stands to work on it and putting the tire you took off under the car so that if it fell the car would not completely crush anything under it like your leg or foot or chest. In this regard always having a cell phone within reach when doing something where you might get hurt so you can call for help if your pinned down."
Safety glasses.
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What are some of your habits when working? |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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uncommonvw
Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2004
Posts: 230
Location: Jordan, ON Canada
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:00 am Post subject: |
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Clean, scratch free Safety glasses like you mentioned. Absolutely. Trust me when I say it's no fun having something lodged in your eyeball. Usually a PITA to get it removed.
Remove your jewelry, watches, etc...
Tie back loose clothing or hair.
Keep a clean work area. Wipe spills immediately. Sweep up. |
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sanchius 
Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1452
Location: IN
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:05 am Post subject: |
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My summer job in college was running an industrial paint & bake line applying high-tech epoxy coatings to military tank parts.
After having to come to the aid of Frank, our ancient machinist, as he was losing significant parts of his hand inside a rotary grinding machine, safety has just become a habit and is more of a mindset/approach for me than any specific action.
A recent example is when I sold my spare syncro front diff to a young local couple preparing for a central/south american trip. I was so uncomfortable seeing the flimsy stamped steel jack stands that he had under his Syncro that I loaned him one of my sets of very heavy duty stands to use until the project was finished.
General rules for me are:
- Apply lots and lots of light, use safety glasses & gloves when appropriate
- Place a minimum of double protection against vehicle fall and fire,
- Think it through, work slow and deliberate (which is why my projects tend to take a long time)
- Use special care around gasoline, running engines and rotating things.
- Only work on cars you care about and let the shop up the street take care of the others
Avoids:
- Avoid working alone or in confined spaces
- Avoid working when tired and distracted by something else
Above all,
- Don't do anything stupid
Last edited by sanchius on Mon Apr 21, 2014 5:15 am; edited 1 time in total |
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insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:11 am Post subject: |
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#1 and often overlooked, but right in the owners manual of every vehicle made....
Remove the battery terminals before starting to work on the vehicle. |
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nacradriver
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2009
Posts: 760
Location: Ventura, CA
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:13 am Post subject: |
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Wheel Chocks
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Güdrun -1989 Westfalia - 2013 - 2018
Petra - 1985 Vanagon - 1985 to 1991
Zisa - 1974 VW Van "Bus" - 1974 to 1985 |
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insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:21 am Post subject: |
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| When using jack stands, place the removed wheels under the van in case the stands fail or vehicle slips off of them. |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6832
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:28 am Post subject: |
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After spending the day changing your engine and getting slowed down by problems so that it really did take all day and into the night. You want to go out and test drive it -
Don't. Your tired and just waiting for an accident to happen. Go get some rest. |
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?Waldo?
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006
Posts: 9752
Location: Where?
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:09 am Post subject: |
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Wear gloves - I'm particularly partial to the Raven black nitrile.
Push with an open hand.
If you are applying more pressure to a fastener than you can easily apply 'steady-state' then get a longer lever.
With rotating power tools always keep in mind where the tool will be thrown when it gets caught.
When you are lifting a vehicle in order to get under it, make sure it is resting on solid objects, wheels chocked and push on it this way and that before getting under it. Do NOT use cinder blocks to support a vehicle.
If you don't LIKE working on cars, then DON'T work on cars!
When you feel tired, irritated or frustrated STOP WORKING ON YOUR CAR! |
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9810
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:19 am Post subject: |
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When wrenching on a tight bolt or nut -- position the wrench so you are pulling on it rather than pushing.
That way -- you'll have more control and be less likely to smash your knuckles when the thing finally loosens or if it slips. |
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Alex Proulx
Samba Member
Joined: August 26, 2010
Posts: 294
Location: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:59 am Post subject: |
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Great topic. I am not a trained mechanic so if I do something wrong please let me know.
- no rings, no watch
- no loose clothing
- coverall
- rubber gloves most of the time, sometime thick leather gloves (knuckle preservation)
- plenty of lights, often headlight
- safety glasses
- I never trust my jack, I use properly rated stands or if I can I drive on wood blocks to raise the car a few inches, if the wheel are off I will put them under the car
- wheel blocks, especially when lifting with the stock jack (this thing is freakin dangerous)
- the stock jack can slip on smooth concrete, also if the wheels are not blocked and the jack is not dead vertical the car might pivot forward or backward even with the e-brake on, ask me how I know, I hate this thing
- fire extinguisher nearby
- house keeping
- I am terified of gasoline but that is just me
Alex
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Vanagon GL 1988 Full Camper, 4 speed manual, 2.1 stock engine
Audi A3 2.0T S-Line Quattro 2015 |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Alex Proulx
Samba Member
Joined: August 26, 2010
Posts: 294
Location: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:12 am Post subject: |
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| djkeev wrote: |
Eh! Gloves smuves!
Using your hands builds character and callouses it also tells people that you KNOW how to do things!......... Not just write checks or swipe debit cards!
I never liked gloves for mechanical work. You lose a sensitivity, a LOT of mechanical work is feeling and a gut sense that you are there!
Nope.......... GoJo, Fast Orange and Dawn are my best buddies! 
Dave |
Yeah, I did my CV job without gloves, I had black finger nails for 3 weeks and sore hand from the brake cleaning fluid for 2 days. My wife did not want my dirty fingers anywhere near her  Never again.
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Vanagon GL 1988 Full Camper, 4 speed manual, 2.1 stock engine
Audi A3 2.0T S-Line Quattro 2015 |
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borninabus
Samba R&D Dept.
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 4538
Location: Arizona Highways
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:50 am Post subject: |
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| djkeev wrote: |
| I never liked gloves for mechanical work. You lose a sensitivity, a LOT of mechanical work is feeling and a gut sense that you are there! |
Ah, The Catholic Mechanic.
Happy Easter 
I realize that a lifetime of exposure to petrochemicals is not a good thing and can/will cause health issues in the long run.
My hands (and the rest of my body) are important to me and I want to keep them for as long as possible.
We will all probably die of cancer because of the corrosive environment we've created, but no need to literally wallow in it.
I won't touch a car without gloves on 
And here's one vote for ear protection (usually when using air tools) because I like tuning my guitar too.
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88 Van WBX, A/T - 13 JSW TDI 6M/T - 2012 Touareg TDI Sport |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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borninabus
Samba R&D Dept.
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 4538
Location: Arizona Highways
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:08 am Post subject: |
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| djkeev wrote: |
| I do not want to turn this into a gloves no gloves event. |
Then why would you type some thing so obviously baited 
No hard feelings, just thought I'd rub it in a bit since you probably aren't wearing any protection
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88 Van WBX, A/T - 13 JSW TDI 6M/T - 2012 Touareg TDI Sport |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6832
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:20 am Post subject: |
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You can use a "Barrier Creme" on your hands to protect them and still have the tactile feel that you lose with gloves.
I don't think it would work for fishing around in a bucket for the drain plug that fell in and I think it wears off on the finger tips, but it is an option.
the long term exposure is different for everyone and the sensitivity is like getting a Bee sting. Some people are are allergic and some not. Your the only one who knows your nerve endings and skin.
We can do the BS chiding of each other if you want, but what is the point really. We are just trying to pass on good safety ideas without getting hijacked by this crap. Leave it for the Chevy and Ford guys to do to each other. |
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61Scout
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2011
Posts: 1297
Location: Shoreline/Yakima WA
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 10:40 am Post subject: |
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Here's one thing to remember if you are working on gravel or asphalt. If you're using jack stands, at the very least place a piece of 3/4" plywood a couple inches wider than the legs of the stand. I personally have cut 3/16" steel plates for mine. Without them, the stands will dig into the asphalt or gravel and over time the vehicle can shift and/or fall. Asphalt seems okay at first, but over time, and especially if the sun is out, the stands will sink/move without a plate. Granted working on concrete is ideal, and using stands on asphalt and gravel should be avoided if at all possible.
I also carry a chunk of 3/4" plywood with all my vehicles for the jack, just in case I find myself changing a tire on soft ground.
Kevin
_________________
1986 Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg, RJE 2.3
1985 Tin Top, Subie 2.2 + 5MT
Floppy Mirrors no more: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=653018&highlight=
Remove the front spindle nut with ease: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679567&highlight=
Remove the rear wheel bearing housing without messing with the big 46mm nut: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679507&highlight=
-Nec Spe, Nec Metu |
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?Waldo?
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006
Posts: 9752
Location: Where?
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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| djkeev wrote: |
Eh! Gloves smuves!
Using your hands builds character and callouses it also tells people that you KNOW how to do things!......... Not just write checks or swipe debit cards! |
Nope. It tells me quite the reverse. Not taking care of one's person is a very strong indication that one does not know how to do even the most basic of things.
The current strong nitrile gloves give incredible dexterity and last a long time. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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