Safety Around the Automobile
If the correct precautions are not taken, working on automobiles can be dangerous. In a school laboratory, in your garage, or at an automotive repair facility, you need to be aware of people and your surroundings at all times. People are needlessly hurt each year through carelessness. This section provides the information necessary to safely work on the automobile. When safety precautions are followed, working on the automobile can be a rewarding experience. Safety glasses, eyewash stations, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers are some of the items that should be available in an automotive work area.

Laboratory Safety
In a laboratory setting it is important to think safety. Vehicles, by their nature, are dangerous. They have moving engine parts; they are heavy; they have explosive fuels; they have high electrical voltages when running; and they often have parts that are too hot to touch.

The following is a list of safety rules:

• Safety glasses are not optional. Wear them at all times when working on a vehicle. Warning: Ordinary prescription glasses are not safety glasses.
  
• Know the location and operational procedures of using fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, eyewash stations, and a telephone. Dial 911 for emergencies.
  
• Do not have bare feet or wear open-toed sandals. Wear shoes that will protect your feet.
  
• Loud noises can damage your hearing. Wear ear protection (e.g., earmuffs or earplugs) when loud noises are present.
  
• Someone must be sitting in the driver’s seat whenever a car is started and/or running.
  
• The exhaust system of a running engine must be connected to a ventilation system if in an enclosed area.
  
• Stand creepers up when not in use.
  
• Place floor jack handles in the up position when not being used.
  
• If a car is off the ground (except when on an automotive lift) it must be supported by jack stands.
  
• Keep your tools and hands free of grease and oil. Wearing mechanic gloves is a smart option. Warning: Chemicals that get on your skin can be absorbed by your body.
  
• Use the proper tool for each job.
  
• Remove rings, watches, and other jewelry so they will not catch on obstructions.
  
• If you have long hair, tie it back. It could get caught in moving parts.
  
• Do not wear loose or baggy clothing that could get caught in moving parts.
  
• Put oily rags in an approved can for combustible materials.
  
• Always clean up spilled oil and grease from the floor. Sawdust, kitty litter, or oil dry work well for this.
  
• Never pour chemicals, solvents, antifreeze, oil, etc. down the sanitary drain. Put them in their proper containers to be recycled.
  
• Do not put tools on top of a vehicle’s battery. Accidentally touching both terminals could cause a spark, which could lead to an explosion.
  
• Always engage the parking/emergency brake to prevent the vehicle from moving.
  
• Do not work on a hot engine. Burns could result.
  
• Do not touch spark plug wires while the engine is running. Tens of thousands of volts are present.
  
• Never put your hands on or near the cooling fan. Many fans are electric and can start without the key on.
  
• Never open a hot radiator cap. Burns could result.

Using Jacks and Jack Stands
You should never go under a jacked-up vehicle unless it is supported by jack stands. Jack stands are mechanical safety devices used in conjunction with a service jack to support a vehicle. To jack up a vehicle, you should:

1. Position the service jack so that it comes in contact with the frame or another solid chassis component. Do not use the oil pan, body, or other fragile component as lifting points when jacking up the vehicle. Serious damage could result. Check your owner’s manual for specific lift points.
   
2. Chock at least one wheel still on the ground. Wheel chocks are used to minimize the risk of the vehicle rolling and falling off the jack.
   
3. Slowly pump the jack and start lifting the vehicle.
   
4. Once at the desired height, position the jack stands under the frame or specified jacking points. Ratchet the jack stands to the desired height.
   
5. Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands and remove the service jack.
   

Warning: Never use concrete blocks or other inadequate devices for supporting a vehicle. Your life is not worth the risk. Safety jack stands are inexpensive and a must when completing repairs or service procedures under a vehicle.

Automotive Lifts
Most repair shops and educational automotive labs have automotive lifts. Automotive lifts are more convenient than using a jack and jack stands. The greatest advantage is that they allow the technician to access the whole underside of the vehicle. The most common types of lifts are surface-mounted lifts. Surface-mounted lifts are bolted to the garage floor and are powered by an electric motor that usually drives a hydraulic pump. The most popular surface-mounted lifts are the two-column drive through frame engaging lift and four-column drive on lift.

Two-Column
The two-column is often called a two-post lift. Two-post lifts have lift arms that ride up each column. They are synchronized so they go up evenly. This type of lift is commonly used for doing any kind of under-the-car service work. Since the lift contacts the frame, and not the wheels, it is an ideal setup for completing tire rotations, brake inspections, and suspension work. In addition, it is also commonly used for doing undercarriage work on exhaust systems and performing oil changes. By far, the two-post lift is the most popular type of automotive lift.

Four-Column
The four-column is often called a four-post lift. Four-post lifts have runways. Once the vehicle is driven onto the runways, it is lifted by its tires exposing the underside. This type of lift is most common in muffler and oil change shops. It is relatively safe and easy to use. The main disadvantage of this lift is the inability to perform services that require the removal of the tires without adding special adapters. Special adapters, called rolling lift jacks, are available from many manufacturers that can be added to this type of lift to allow the vehicle to be lifted off the runways. These lift jacks allow the removal of the wheels while still on the four-post lift.

Lifting a Vehicle Safely
It is imperative to read and review lift safety procedures. If an accident occurs, it could easily be fatal. A person is no match for a 2,000+ pound vehicle. Safely lifting a vehicle requires: reading and understanding safety labels, reading and understanding caution labels, knowing the lift’s constraints, and knowing lifting procedures.

Safety Labels
Automotive lifts should have safety labels attached to the column that houses the controls for the lift. Some warning labels commonly found on lifts are:

• Clear area if vehicle is in danger of falling.
  
• Position vehicle with the center of gravity midway on the lift.
  
• Remain clear of the lift when raising or lowering the vehicle.
  
• Avoid excessive rocking of the vehicle while on the lift.
  
• Do not remove heavy vehicle components that may shift the center of gravity.
  
• Keep feet clear of the lift while lowering.
  
  

Caution Labels
Some caution labels commonly found on lifts are:

• Lift is to be used by trained personnel.
  
• Use vehicle manufacturer’s lift points.
  
• No one should be in a vehicle that is being raised.
  

Lift Constraints
Vehicle lifts are designed to only lift vehicles. Never use a lift to remove an engine from a vehicle. Also, never overload the lift. The load capacity of the lift is located on the manufacturer’s nameplate.

Lifting Vehicles on Two-Post Lifts
When using a lift have a partner direct you into the lifting area. Line the center of gravity of the vehicle with the posts or as required by the lift manufacturer. On rear-wheel drive cars the center of gravity is usually directly below the driver’s seat. However, on front-wheel drive cars, it is usually slightly in front of the driver’s seat. Make sure the lift arms are contacting the vehicle’s lift points. Lift the vehicle about a foot off the ground. Then gently push on the front and rear bumper to make sure the vehicle is stable. Visually recheck the lift point connections. Raise the vehicle to the desired height. Warning: Some two-post lifts have overhead devices. Do not lift the vehicle so that the roof of the vehicle comes in contact with overhead devices. Before lowering the lift, be sure that everything is removed from under the vehicle. Always refer to the lift manufacturer instructions for specific lifting procedures.

Lifting Vehicles on Four-Post Lifts
Drive the vehicle on the runways, centering the weight of the vehicle on the lift. Chock both sides of at least one wheel and apply the parking brake. Raise the vehicle to the desired height. Before lowering the lift, be sure that everything is removed from under the vehicle. Read all manufacturer instructions for specific lift procedures.

Fire Extinguishers
Flammable and combustible materials are present in automotive shops. It is important to know where the fire extinguishers are, how to use them, and what type of fires they put out. For a fire to exist it needs oxygen, heat, and fuel. A fire extinguisher must remove at least one of these components to put a fire out. Fire extinguishers are designed to put out specific types of fires. Most automotive shops will have a combination A-B-C fire extinguisher. Fires are classified by the following: A-Type, B-Type, C-Type, and D-Type.

A-Type
A-type extinguishers put out wood, paper, cloth, rubber, plastic, and upholstery fires. They do this by coating or lowering the temperature of the burning materials.

B-Type
B-type extinguishers put out gasoline, oil, grease, and paint fires. They do this by smothering the fire. Never put water on a B-type fire. Water will spread the fire.

C-Type
C-type extinguishers put out electrical fires. They do this by using a nonconducting agent.

D-Type
D-type extinguishers put out combustible metal fires. They smother and coat the metal with a special agent to put the fire out.

Summary
Safety in an automotive lab or shop is essential. Following proper service jack procedures enables you to lift a vehicle safely and without damage. Two types of lifts are common in automotive shops: two-post and four-post. The four-post is easier to use than the two-post, but it is not as versatile without special adapters. The four-post lift is generally used for oil changes and undercarriage inspections, while the two-post is commonly used for tire, brake, or suspension work. Fires are classified by the type of material burning. The best type of fire extinguisher to have when working on an automobile is a combination A-B-C.


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