WE’VE all winced at those photos and videos online of somebody giving themselves a nasty injury while working on cars. I’ve got form in that regard myself – as a young bloke, I famously squished the edge of my tockley with a Valiant Hemi cylinder head!
So it’s with the voice of painful experience that I humbly offer you some tips on how to stay safe while wrenching away on your project car. Many of these may seem like common sense, but sometimes it’s the thing you least expect that can have the most serious long-term ramifications.
SAFETY TIPS
KEEP IT CLEAN
MOST of the accidents I’ve seen over the years have been due to working in a messy environment, so make sure you keep your shed clean and tidy. Set things up so that there aren’t extension leads, parts, tools or other trip hazards lying around, and make sure you have enough room to move around comfortably. Mop up any fluid spills as soon as possible. It will all add up to a safer, more productive and more enjoyable working environment.
SUPPORT SYSTEM
NEVER – and I mean never – get underneath a car that’s supported only by a trolley or scissor jack – or any type of jack, for that matter. Jacks can and do fail, and the results can be fatal. This isn’t just an old wives’ tale, either; I’ve seen this happen many times in my day job over the past two decades.
