TheSamba.com :: View topic - Good video for DIY mechanics

Wed Jul 24, 2024 2:11 pm

I wanted to share this with you folks since this forum encourages working on your own vehicles. I'm guilty of everything on his list when I worked at a busy dealership. I was there before the latex glove revolution. Thinking back, the only safety policies were for vehicle safety, not so much mechanic safety. Things like proper use of lifts & jacks. Other than using proper PPE, the other thing I would suggest is to avoid using compressed air to blow things clean. Lots of good vacuums nowadays that take your standard rechargeable tool batteries, or just get a plain old shop vac.

Also - always pull a wrench - never push.

Edit: and NEVER use brake cleaner on a throttle body or carb, or anywhere near the air cleaner - especially when it's running.

Wed Jul 24, 2024 2:14 pm

Interesting
I just watched that vid a few days ago

Wed Jul 24, 2024 2:19 pm

back in the day, my father had a 5 gallon pail of carb cleaner. incredibly effective with an oil layer on top to limit evaporation. when i'd work with that stuff, ungloved, i'd feel my scalp pull back just like someone was pulling my hair. i'm 65 and still worry about that exposure when i was a young teen.

the only 'gloves' we had was a can of 'Protek' cream you rubbed on your hands as a barrier to grease and oils and made washing up easier. i use gloves all the time now but again, worry it may be too late.

have a friend that has worked in board plants much of his life with much safety training... always brings safety glasses to any job, uses leather gloves for protection, and we chide each other about being stupid with lifts and jacks.

if you're still alive, it's never too late to become safer.

Wed Jul 24, 2024 2:47 pm

Pushing on a wrench can at times be safer than pulling on a wrench. different situations can require different technique in wrenching

Wed Jul 24, 2024 2:57 pm

Well yeah. I guess it depends. When I do push, I don't grip, but use my palm - or boot. But I do check what my hand or foot will impact first.

Wed Jul 24, 2024 4:10 pm

i'll never forget the only time i've ever been punched in the face:
i was pulling a wrench toward me when it slipped.
i literally saw stars :lol:

Wed Jul 24, 2024 6:35 pm

Reminders to be safe are always a good thing. Thanks.

I learned much of my knowledge from my dad in the 70s/early 80s around the garage at home and at his tool & die shop. Eye protection was a must. Careful lifting and movement of heavy stuff (raw steel, die sets, etc.) was demanded. Hearing protection was middling: he did buy some hearing protection for production runs on the punch press but it wasn't used as often as it should have been.

Chemicals were not seen as a hazard. Cleaning agents, gasoline, oil, etc. were things to dip in, handle and wash off at the end of the day.

In my late 20s hearing protection was hammered home by older motorcyclists and I still hear pretty well (fingers crossed). Likewise, my body feeling the wooze after dipping my hand in gasoline or inhaling exhaust slowly wised me up to their dangers and I try to limit exposure nowadays.