Health and Safety

Executive

Example risk assessment for a motor vehicle mechanical repair

workshop
Setting the scene about health and safety issues. He confirmed
How to use this example
what training had been provided and asked that
The garage manager did the risk assessment. The they consider particular requirements the two
business employed 12 mechanics, including two This example risk assessment shows a wide range
young apprentices may need of hazards that might be present in this type of
apprentices who carried out mechanical repairs. phoning the licensed disposal contractor to discuss
■ small business. It can be used as a guide to help
the arrangements for waste disposal you think through some of the hazards in your
How was the risk assessment done? looking at the accident book to learn what had
■ business and the steps you need to take to control
The garage manager first looked at relevant guidance previously resulted in accidents or near misses. the risks.
on the HSE website, including:
The health and safety toolbox: How to control As he identified the hazards he also thought about who However, this is not a generic risk assessment. Every
■
risks at work (www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/index.htm) could be harmed and how. He noted what he was business is different. To satisfy the law you must
already doing to control the risks and considered identify and assess the hazards your business poses,
■ Health and safety in the motor vehicle repair (MVR) think through the controls required to provide
industry (www.hse.gov.uk/mvr/index.htm) whether he needed to do anything more. He then
effective protection to people who may be affected
COSHH essentials sheets for repair workshops recorded any further actions required.
■ by them, and record the significant findings from your
(www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm) risk assessment of your business.
Putting the risk assessment into practice, the manager
He also read the manufacturers’ instructions for set out what actions needed to be taken. Who would do
chemicals and equipment. them and by when. He placed a copy of the risk
assessment where all workers could see it.
He then identified the hazards in the garage. He did
this by: The findings of the risk assessment were discussed by the
supervisors and their teams of mechanics.
■ walking around the repair workshop and noting
things that may cause harm The manager decided to review the risk assessment
■ talking to workers to learn from their knowledge and whenever there were any significant changes such as new
experience and listen to their concerns and opinions work equipment, work activities or workers.

Example risk assessment: Motor vehicle mechanical repair

workshop
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 Health and
Safety

Company name: PQR Motor Vehicle Repair shop (mechanical repairs

only) Date of risk assessment: 01/05/2012

What are the hazards? Who might be harmed and how? What are you already doing? Do you need to do anything else Action Action by Done
to control this risk? by when?
who?
Hazardous substances Skin contact over a long period can ■ Nitrile gloves supplied and used ■ Supervisor to start keeping a check JB 10/03/12 09/03/12
Contact with used lead to severe dermatitis and skin cancer. ■ Garage overalls supplied and used that gloves are being used
engine oil etc during ■ Contract for regular cleaning of overalls
servicing ■ Workers informed to clean hands thoroughly and use skin ■ Risks from dermatitis and skin cancer JB 10/03/12 09/03/12
creams provided after contact with hazardous substances to be explained to workers

Car engine running The fumes may cause eye irritation ■ Car exhaust attached to extractor system when ■ No further action required
inside, toxic and breathing difficulties. engine is running
exhaust fumes, eg ■ Extractor system maintained and tested to prevent leaks
carbon monoxide
Fire If trapped workers and customers could ■ Fire alarms maintained and tested by manufacturer ■ Manager to arrange training on use SP 1/7/12
Petrol and LPG fires suffer fatal injuries from smoke inhalation/ ■ Extinguishers provided and inspected under contract of extinguishers for all workers
burns. ■ Special fire exits not needed as all work areas
have immediate access to outside ■ Annual fire drill to be carried out RB 11/11/12
■ Fuel retriever used to empty vehicle fuel tanks outside ■ Brief workers on safe working with RB 02/07/12
■ Spillages cleared immediately petrol. Refer to HSE’s Safe use of
■ Component cleaning in re-circulating paraffin system, not petrol in garages (INDG331).
petrol
■ LPG fuelled vehicles ported in safe places ■ Brief workers on safe working with RB 02/07/12
■ Workers trained in hazards of LPG LPG. Refer to HSE’s LPG-fuelled motor
■ Fire risk assessment has been done, and any necessary vehicles (INDG387)
action taken, see www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-
responsibilities
Battery charging Workers could suffer burns from contact ■ Proprietary charger, installed by electrician, is used in ■ No further action required
with battery acid while charging, accordance with instructions
particularly if battery is overcharged and ■ Acid-resistant gloves and goggles supplied and used
explodes.

Example risk assessment: Motor vehicle mechanical repair

workshop
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 Health and
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What are the hazards? Who might be harmed and how? What are you already doing? Do you need to do anything else Action Action by Done
to control this risk? by when?
who?
Electrical equipment Workers could get electrical shocks or ■ Low voltage 24 V hand lamps used ■ Manager to assess suitability of SP 15/06/12
Portable appliances, eg burns from faulty electrical equipment or ■ Residual current device (RCD) built into main switchboard. replacing 240 V tools with air-
hand lamps. on installation. ■ A few 240 V tools are used. All have industrial plugs powered or 110 V alternatives
Electrical faults can also lead to fires. and leads
■ Testing carried out annually on all portable 240 V
tools and workers are trained to carry out pre-use
visual checks and report defects
■ Safety checks of the electrical equipment and installations
are carried out to ensure that equipment continues to
be safe. Where necessary this is done by a competent
electrician
Mechanical equipment Workers may suffer serious injury from ■ All mechanical equipment checked before use and faults ■ No further action required
Use of grinding unguarded moving parts of machinery. reported to supervisor
equipment Workers can also get cut on sharp ■ Equipment not to be left running unattended
edges or scald themselves on hot parts. ■ Guarding provided
■ Ear defenders and safety goggles provided and worn.
■ Grinding wheels changed by trained person
Falling objects Failure of a car lift, jack or other lifting ■ Car lifts and jacks serviced by supplier and inspected ■ No further action required
Car lift failure or car equipment may cause severe crush by insurers every 6 months
jack failure injuries to an employee. ■ Jacks only used where ground conditions are firm,
stable and level. Once vehicle lifted, axle stands used
■ Axle stands regularly maintained and inspected
■ Safe working loads not exceeded
Work involving air Workers could suffer: ■ Workers are trained in correct procedures ■ Brief workers on safe working with RB 05/11/12
conditioning systems ■ frostbite – through skin or eye air- conditioning systems (from HSE’s
contact with refrigerant liquid or gas Safe working with vehicle air-
■ asphyxiation – if sufficient quantities conditioning systems INDG349).
of gas escape into confined space
■ exposure to harmful gases –
through thermal decomposition of
refrigerant if exposed to a naked
flame.

Example risk assessment: Motor vehicle mechanical repair

workshop
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 Health and
Safety

What are the hazards? Who might be harmed and how? What are you already doing? Do you need to do anything else Action Action by Done
to control this risk? by when?
who?
Compressed air Workers could suffer blast injuries from ■ All workers trained in safe working procedures and ■ No further action required
Explosion of equipment tyre or equipment explosion. Workers dangers of horseplay
tyres could suffer damage to internal organs if ■ Airline has deadman’s handle
air is introduced into the body. ■ System inspected and serviced every year by insurers
Handling vehicle air Air bags could explode when not fitted, ■ Units are stored in suitable cabinet of their own ■ Brief workers on safe handling of air RB 02/07/12
bags causing injury. ■ Workers are trained in correct handling and fitting bags (from HSE’s A guide to the
■ Faulty units are returned to supplier for disposal handling and storage of airbags and
seat belt pretensioners at garages and
motor vehicle repair workshops
(INDG280)
Manual handling Workers risk injuries or back pain or ■ Workers are trained in safe manual handling and ■ Manager to arrange manual handling SP 10/07/12 15/05/12
Movement of pain elsewhere from handling heavy to ensure contractors follow safe manual handling training for the workers in the
components and/or bulky objects. techniques store.
■ Manual handling aids are available, eg lift truck ■ Brief workers on handling tyres, refer RB 15/05/12 15/05/12
to HSE publication Collection and
delivery of tyres - Tackling the risk of
manual handling injuries: a practical
guide
■ A detailed assessment to be done using JB 15/08/12 15/05/12
HSE publication Manual handling
assessment charts (INDG383)
Vehicle movements Workers and customers risk potentially ■ Safe parking provided for customers without need for ■ No further action required JB 18/05/12 20/05/12
serious injury if struck by a moving reversing
vehicle ■ Marked walkways for pedestrians
■ Vehicles driven slowly around premises
■ Workers ensure that cars being manually pushed always
have a person seated at the wheel, to keep the
vehicle under control

Example risk assessment: Motor vehicle mechanical repair

workshop
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 Health and
Safety

What are the hazards? Who might be harmed and how? What are you already doing? Do you need to do anything else Action Action by Done
to control this risk? by when?
who?
Slips and trips Workers and customers may be ■ Good housekeeping standards maintained ■ Walkways and storage areas to JB 09/06/12 07/06/12
Doorways (rain), injured if they trip over objects or slip through training and monitoring be designated by yellow lines
spillages, uneven on spillages, eg oil or water. ■ Floors degreased weekly
surfaces ■ Absorbent granules and sawdust put on spills as soon ■ Weekly housekeeping check to JB 09/05/12 12/05/12
as possible be started
■ Entrances and exits maintained
Working at height Falls from any height can cause ■ Appropriate access equipment is provided for work on ■ Supervisor to monitor use of portable JB 03/06/12 03/06/12
bruising and fractures and potentially trailers and tops of commercial vehicles ladders, access equipment for working
serious injuries. ■ Handrails fitted at edges of raised storage areas and on vehicles, and safety at inspection
access stairway provided pits
■ Workers are competent to use ladders where appropriate
■ Vehicle inspection pits clearly marked and covered when
not in use
Public access Customers could suffer various injuries ■ Signs banning customers from the workshop and viewing ■ Workers to be reminded to challenge SP 15/07/12
to workshop if they wander into the workshop. window provided in reception anyone entering the workshop without
permission

Assessment review date: 01/04/13

Example risk assessment: Motor vehicle mechanical repair

5 of 5 pages
workshop Published by the Health and Safety Executive
04/13