If you are planning on opening an auto body shop, you should be aware of common health hazards that come with it. Knowing these hazards ahead of time can help you in preventing accidents in the future. Keeping employees safe and preventing accidents should be a top priority for any body shop owner. Whether you are an experienced body shop owner, or you are planning on opening one, we have 5 of the most common health hazards in the auto body industry. After you read this, you should be able to identify and prevent these hazards so that you can give your employees a safe(r) work environment.

Chemical Exposure: Auto body workers often expose themselves to chemicals from paint, fillers, and primers. They also risk exposure to dust and particles from machines that are running. Employees must be provided with suits, respirators, and gloves. The shop must be adequately ventilated to prevent toxic fume build up.

Lifting Injuries: Employees must know how to properly lift items to prevent back injuries. You should make certain items mandatory to be lifted by 2 people. There are several video series out there that have good instructions on proper lifting techniques. When hiring employees, it can be a requirement to watch them before starting. Hand trucks and fork lifts can make a heavy lifting easier as well. Just make sure your employees are properly trained to use forklifts.

Occupational Noise Hazards: Auto body workers are exposed to loud and repetitive noises for long periods. Employers must provide ear protection if their employees are hearing noise over 100 decibels. Good quality ear plugs and noise cancelling headphones are usually a good choice for adequate protection.

Slips and Falls: Grease, paint, and other liquids can create spill hazards on your shop. Slips can cause sprains, strains, and even broken bones. Make sure employees have a good stock of spill absorber and signs that mark spills.

Mechanical Injuries: Machines that employees will be using on a daily basis can also be dangerous. If not used properly, untrained employees can risk cuts, burns, and even severed digits. Employees must be trained on how to use this machinery properly and follow all usage instructions closely.