OSHA Doing Safety Checks at Auto Repair Shops

[davbell22602]

My teacher told us about his day class in getting certified to train people on car lifts so they get certified to use them. He said since factory work cut back that there hitting all the auto repair shops for lift safety. Back in 2008 it was passed in legislation that all auto techs must be certified to use a car lift and all car lifts must be inspected once year. If OSHA stops at a auto repair shop for the first time they will inspect the lifts and give the repair shop 30 days to get the lift fixed to there safety requirements. If OSHA comes back and its not fixed its a $1500-$7000 fine per lift. Its required by law that all accidents that happen on a lift must be reported to OSHA so they can come investigate. In the class my teacher went to they also said in 1-2 years it will required for all techs to take the 15 hour OSHA safety course online. Also in the next there gonna make it required that all techs must be certified to use floor jacks and jacks stands too. So if you pick up a jackstand by the center piece and it comes out then its not up to safety code according OSHA. Shops will have to get there jacks and jack stands inspected every year just like the car/truck lifts.

 

[Nick The Great]

Welcome to the world

 

[tleach17]

Makes sense to me. I don't want some untrained idiot dropping my truck off the lift. Or a lift breaking because it was not safe to use. Plus I bet it's not that uncommon for people to get killed after a car falls off a lift. Sounds like they are doing their job.

 

[davbell22602]

The only reason there enforcing this now instead of 3 years ago is because of the decreasing work load in factory work due to the economy.

 

[tleach17]

I deal with OSHA and MSHA a lot. They are cracking down everywhere. It doe's not change the fact the accidents do occur due to inexperience and faulty equipment. I stand by my previous statement.

 

[RebelThunder]

The only reason this would be a problem is because of laziness.

 

[Zembonez]

fWONk OSHA.

I believe a shop should be operating safely for the sake of their most valuable asset... their employees. I think most legit shop owners want to comply with safety regulations. OSHA will probably hand the slimy ones their ass in a can if they visit them.

 

[PenguinLTZ]

This is nothing new and those are not the reasons why. I have been dealing with making my shops compliant for years. Any violation is typically met with a compliance date. Don't let this teacher point out that the sky is falling.

 

[Zembonez]

Most of the shops I deal with are very safety conscious. They don't want their guys getting hurt and missing work! That costs everybody money.

 

[nubuilder]

Doesn't surprise me. Just another way for them to get money.

But any shop should be working safely no matter what anyways, protecting employees and vehicles (mostly from insurance claims). If the shop is smart, you check that the vehicle is secure before lifting higher. I sure as hell wouldn't go under a vehicle if it isn't on the lift/jack properly.

And being certified with a floor jack and jack stands? Come on!!! Seems a little silly to me. Just sayin'.