Safety in the Small Engine Shop

Safety

The condition of being safe

Freedom from danger, risk, or injury

safety

I. Shop Safety

A. Small gas engine work can be rewarding and exciting. However, you may encounter dangerous situations whenever you work in a small engine shop.

B. Special precautions should be taken when working with small engines. It is very important to recognize potential hazards and make sure that your work area is safe.

C. Safety is the responsibility of everyone in the small engines shop.

D. Primary Small Gas Engine Shop Safety Areas

1. Keep work area clean

2. Handle hazardous materials properly

3. Wear Proper clothing

4. Maintain adequate ventilation

5. Use hand tools properly

6. Use power tools properly

Primary Small Gas Engine Shop Safety Areas

7. Use compressed air carefully

8. Lift properly

9. Protect the knees

10. Use proper electrical wiring/grounding procedures

11. Operate engines safely

12. Be prepared for emergencies

13. Follow OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requirements

II. Keep Work Area CleanA. A clean, well-organized work area is very important to

everyoneB. Floors should be free from oil and dirtC. Always use spill control devices and spill absorbentsD. Always clean up after working on a projectE. Pick up all tools and return them to the proper toolbox /

workbenchF. Rags saturated with gasoline or solvent are HIGHLY

flammable and can easily ignite. Keep used rags in approved container for flammable waste.

III. Handle Hazardous Materials Properly

A. There are many dangerous chemicals used in the small engine shop

B. Always store chemicals in a safe placeC. Flammable liquids should be kept in closed safety

containers when not in useD. Some engines have battery operated ignition systems.

Handle batteries carefully to avoid splashing acid on clothes, skin, and eyes.

E. Only use chemicals for their intended purpose. F. Gasoline has a low flashpoint and can ignite easy.G. Wear protective rubber gloves and safety goggles

when working with cleaning solvents.

IV. Wear Proper Clothing

A. Proper clothing should be worn when working with small engines

B. Avoid loose fitting clothing which can get caught in moving machine parts

C. Neckties and jewelry should never be worn when working with rotating machinery

D. Long hair should be worn up or secured under a cap.

Wear Proper Clothing

E. Never operate machinery with safety shrouds removed.

F. Goggles should always be worn when handling and working with chemicals.

G. Safety glasses should always be worn to protect eyes in the shop.

H. Ear protection should be worn to protect ears when working with air wrenches, engines under load, or engines running in an enclosed area. Two effective types of ear protection are ear-phone type protectors and earplugs.

V. Maintain Adequate Ventilation

A. The exhaust gases produced by gasoline engines contain carbon monoxide (both colorless and odorless)

B. Breathing in carbon monoxide can cause drowsiness, headaches, and (in large amounts) death.

C. Solvents used to clean engine parts can release toxic fumes.

D. The shop should have adequate fresh air and ventilation to maintain a safe working environment.

VII. Use Hand Tools Properly

A. The safe use of hand tools is often taken for granted in the small engines shop. Many accidents, however, are caused by the improper use of common hand tools.

B. Keep tools clean. Greasy or oily tools are likely to slip and/or fall from your hand or into a running engine.

C. Tools should only be used for the job they were designed for.

D. Keep tools in top shape.

E. When using a wrench, always pull the handle toward your body.

VIII. Use Power Tools Properly

A. Before using a power tool, make sure all guards and shields are in place.

B. Always wear safety goggles/glasses.C. Read/Know the operating instructions before

operating a power toolD. Never make adjustments on a power tool when

it is running.E. All power tools should be equipped with a

“dead man switch” that automatically shuts the tool off when the operator releases the control button.

IX. Use Compressed Air Carefully

A. Compressed air is used in the small engine shop to accomplish various tasks. Always wear safety goggles/glasses.

B. Regulate compressed air for cleaning to no more than 30 psi

C. Never use compressed air to clean your clothing or hair.

X. Lift Properly

A. Always lift heavy objects carefully

B. Always lift with your legs, not with your back

XI. Protect the Knees

A. It is quite common when working with small engines and other equipment associated with small engines to be working on your knees.

B. When working from your knees for long periods of time, it is recommended to wear knee pads.

XII. Use Proper Electrical Wiring / Grounding Procedures

A. Electrical hazards can be found in every small engine shop.

B. Electricity is the most common cause of shop firesC. Before using electrical equipment, check wires for

fraying or cracking. Make sure all electrical equipment is properly grounded or double insulated. If equipment is not grounded, electrical shock can occur.

D. Do not overload outlets. Overloaded circuits are a frequent cause of electrical fires.

XIII. Operate Engines Safely

A. Never operate a small engine at speeds greater than those recommended by the manufacturer.

B. Excessive speeds can cause parts to break loose from the engine

C. Never tamper with the governor setting to increase maximum engine speed 

D. Keep hands, feet, and hair away from rotating engine parts

XIII. Operate Engines Safely

E. Engine parts get extremely hot and can cause serious burn.

F. Avoid touching electrical wires while the engine is running. The high voltage produced by the ignition systems can cause electrical shock. Some systems produce more than 30,000 volts (V).

 

G. Do not operate an engine without a muffler and wear ear protection when working on a running engine for a long period of time.

 XV.Be Prepared for

EmergenciesA. Be prepared

 

B. List emergency numbers in a highly visible place

 

C. All shop areas should be equipped with fire extinguishers that are highly visible

XV.Be Prepared for Emergencies

D. Fire Extinguishers and Fire Classifications

1. Class A Fires

  a. Type- Ordinary combustibles such as wood,

paper,

textiles, etc…

 

b. Extinguisher Requires – Cooling, quenching

(example- water, bicarbonate, foam, dry chemical)

XV.Be Prepared for Emergencies

D. Fire Extinguishers and Fire Classifications

2. Class B Fires

 a. Type – Flammable liquids such as grease,

gasoline, oils, and paints

 b. Extinguisher Requires – blanketing or

smothering (example – carbon dioxide, foam, dry chemical)

XV.Be Prepared for Emergencies

3. Class C Fires

 a. Type – Electrical equipment such as motors,

switches, etc..

b. Extinguisher Requires – non-conducting agent

(examples – carbon dioxide, dry chemical)

XV.Be Prepared for Emergencies

 4. Class D Fires

 a. Type – Combustible metals (example –

magnesium and lithium)

  b. Extinguisher Requires – blanketing or smothering

(example – GRANULAR dry chemical)

XV.Be Prepared for Emergencies

E. Fire Triangle

1. Heat

2. Fuel

3. Oxygen

XV.Be Prepared for Emergencies

F. Safety Colors1. Red - Danger

 

2. Orange – Warning

 

3. Yellow – Caution

 

4. Blue – Information

 

5. Green – Safety

XV.Be Prepared for Emergencies

6. Black and Yellow – Radiation hazard

 7. White – Traffic Area

 8. White and Black – Traffic Markings

 9. Gray - Floors