SAFETY PROGRAM
MUNICIPAL/PUBLIC WORKS
FLEET MAINTENANCE
VII.1
Section 9
SAFETY RULES, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES
The safety rules contained on these pages have been prepared to protect you in your daily work. Employees
are to follow these rules, review them often and use good common sense in carrying out assigned duties.
ALL EMPLOYEES................................................................................................................................ 2
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION REPAIR TECHNICIANS ............................................................. 3
TIRE REPAIR PERSON ....................................................................................................................... 3
PAINTERS AND AUTO BODY REPAIR TECHNICIANS............................................................... 4
WELDERS ............................................................................................................................................. 4
BRAKE REPAIR TECHNICIANS ....................................................................................................... 4
SERVICE STATION ATTENDANTS ................................................................................................. 4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
ALL EMPLOYEES
Stand in a position where you are visible to the driver, either by direct view or in the driver's rearview mirror, when directing a vehicle into position.
To prevent a vehicle that is undergoing repair or maintenance from being accidentally started by a
coworker, remove the keys from the ignition, place the key in the custody of the person who
authorizes the use of the vehicle at that time, and place an "Out of Service" tag on the steering
wheel until the service is completed.
All passengers must evacuate the vehicle before it is raised on a hydraulic lift or jack. Do not raise
the vehicle if someone is in the vehicle.
Use the wheel chocks for both the front and back wheels of the vehicle to prevent motion before
beginning a vehicle maintenance or repair.
Do not work beneath a vehicle that is suspended only by a tow truck cable or jack. Use axle stands
or portable ramps.
Wear your approved ear plugs if the following conditions exist:
(a)
If the noise level is so high that you have to shout to conduct normal conversation with
another person who is standing at arm's length away from you.
(b)
If the shop area has signs posted "hearing protection required."
(c)
If you are operating or standing near noise-generating power equipment.
Wear your approved safety glasses at all times while working in the maintenance shop. Wear your
face shield when using a grinder, a hammer and chisel, while working on exhaust systems, pressure
systems, hot radiators, and when charging or replacing batteries.
Wear the applicable type of safety shoes for the type of hazards that you will encounter in the
maintenance shop.
Do not direct a charged compressed air hose nozzle at another person.
Do not operate a vehicle until all the guards and "shrouds" have been replaced.
Do not use hammers that have broken or cracked handles or if the head is loose. Do not use chisels
and punches that have mushroomed heads that have cutting edges which are cracked, chipped or
dull.
Before attempting to raise a vehicle with a jack, position the jack on a firm surface. Use wheel
chocks in both the front and back of the wheels that are still on the ground.
VII.2
Fleet Maintenance
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Report all injuries and "near misses" to your supervisor.
Do not push on a wrench, pull on the handle.
Ensure that the backup system for the hydraulic lift is in place before you go beneath the vehicle;
engage the safety catch.
Do not wear loose clothing, neckties, or dangling jewelry such as neck chains, or rings while
working on the vehicle.
Do not smoke in the garage.
Visually check for fuel leaks on the vehicle before working on it.
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION REPAIR TECHNICIANS
Disconnect the battery terminal before beginning work on the engine or before removing the
transmission.
If any chemical such as carburetor cleaner or battery acid is spilled or splashed onto your skin or
face, flush the affected area immediately with the eye wash, drench shower or any steady stream of
water that may be available at the time.
When "jump" starting a vehicle, turn the ignition off before connecting the jumper cables. Be sure
that the jumper cable is wired positive to positive and negative to negative.
TIRE REPAIR PERSON
Wear your approved safety glasses, leather-palm gloves, back brace, and safety shoes while you are
working in the tire shop.
Keep your fingers away from the edge of the rim when inflating the tire.
Do not inflate tires that are cracked and "weather dried."
Do not over-inflate the tires; inflate tires according to the manufacturer's pressure specifications
located on the side wall of each tire.
Follow these procedures for changing tires that are mounted on split rim wheels:
(a)
Place wheel chocks both in the front and back of the tires that will not be raised.
(b)
Loosen the lugs nuts before raising the vehicle (while the tire is still in full contact with the
surface).
(c)
Raise the vehicle until the tire tread is completely above the resting surface. Install jack
stands under the vehicle before you begin working on the vehicle.
(d)
Completely deflate the tire by removing the valve core.
(e)
Place the tire and wheel on the bead breaking equipment, with the side ring or locking ring
when demounting a tire from a wheel.
(f)
After installing the tire on the rim, loosen the rim lock-down device before inflating the tire.
(g)
1.
2.
3.
Inflate the tire with only enough pressure that is sufficient to force the tire bead onto the rim
ledge, and then tighten the lock-down device.
PAINTERS AND AUTO BODY REPAIR TECHNICIANS
Put mangled parts, waste paper, used spreaders, old or broken cheese files, and any other material
that is to be thrown away in the designated bins.
Wear your coverall, safety glasses, goggles, hood or face shield and respirator when you are
painting. Change the respirator prefilters as soon as you experience any difficulty in breathing, and
change the cartridges as soon as you can smell the paint.
Wear your dust mask when you are sanding.
VII.3
Fleet Maintenance
4.
5.
6.
7.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
If you get paint on your skin, do not use solvents or thinners to clean up.
Ensure that the paint booth is adequately ventilated when you are inside; test the ventilation system
by:

Holding a small piece of paper approximately one inch from the wall of the paint booth.

Let go of the paper.

If the paper falls, there is inadequate ventilation; do not paint.
Do not smoke in the paint booth.
Ground the paint gun before you begin painting.
WELDERS
Wear your safety glasses, welders apron and gauntlet gloves at all times while working in the
welding shop.
Wear your welding helmet with the appropriate dark lens whenever you are welding.
Do not weld in clothing made of synthetic fibers; wear flame-proof textiles.
Wear your ear plugs that are made of natural fibers to prevent sparks from entering your ears when
welding.
Do not weld near flammable substances such as gasoline, paint and thinners.
Have a fire extinguisher within 24 inches of your reach when welding.
Shut oxygen and acetylene cylinder valves off when these cylinders are not in use.
When doing electric arc welding, ground the work piece.
Do not work while standing in water.
Do not lay the gas cylinders on the ground.
Do not weld a fuel tank, or near a pressurized vessel.
Use a soap solution to check for gas leaks on your hoses and valves; if you find a leak in your
equipment, do not use it until it is replaced.
BRAKE REPAIR TECHNICIANS
Before doing a brake job, remove the dust from the wheel by using either a HEPA vacuum
mechanism or washing it with water. Do not use the air hose to blow dust from the brakes.
SERVICE STATION ATTENDANTS
Do not smoke in the service station.
Turn "off" engine and remove all sources of ignition before dispensing the fuel.
Replace the caps of the gas tank securely.
Locate the emergency power cut-offs for the gas pump before you begin dispensing the fuel.
Do not "top off" the fuel. Stop fuelling when the automatic shut-off on the dispenser nozzle
"clicks".
Do not refuel liquid propane gas (LPG) unless you have been trained, and you understand the
physical and chemical characteristics of propane.
VII.4