Safety when Working on a Vehicle

Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Put the car in gear and pull up the parking brake.
Put a stone or block in the front and behind the front wheels when jacking up the rear wheels. Handbrake only works on the rear wheels.
Place the jack in an upright position on a level and hard surface.
Place the top of the jack against a firm place on the chassis of the vehicle so that it does not slip off.
Use the correct size and type of jack.
Place trestles underneath the car when the car has been jacked up.
Do not remove the radiator cap of hot engines.
Do not work with an open flame near the fuel tank or carburettor of the car.

Safety of the Electrical Ignition System of a Vehicle

Battery Safety Precautions

Automotive lead-acid batteries contain sulfuric acid in the electrolyte. The acid inside the battery is highly corrosive and can burn your skin if it leaks out of the battery and gets on your skin. This is not a danger if the battery is a “gel” type that does not contain liquid acid. But it can be a concern if the battery contains liquid acid and has removable caps on top. Sealed top batteries should contain the liquid as long as the battery remains in an upright position (do NOT turn it sideways or upside down). Acid may leak out if the battery case is cracked or damaged, so handle with care.
Batteries can also explode. When a battery charges, it gives off hydrogen gas. Hydrogen is flammable and can explode if a spark occurs near the battery.
Do not smoke around a battery or use anything that produces an open flame or spark.
Do not attempt to jump-start or recharge a frozen battery. Remove the battery from the vehicle, bring it into a warm room and let it thaw before charging or testing.
Always wear safety glasses when jump-starting a battery (to protect your eyes), and gloves when handling a battery (to protect your hands).
Batteries only produce 12 volts, so there is no danger of being shocked. However, batteries can produce hundreds of amps, so never touch a metal object such as a wrench between the positive and negative battery posts to see if the battery will spark. It will and produce a current like a welding arc that may damage the tool, the battery and/or cause the battery to explode.
Do not lean directly over a battery while jump-starting and making the jumper connections – in case of explosion.
Never disconnect a battery when the ignition is on, or while the engine is idling or running. Doing so can damage electrical and electronic components.
It is usually a good idea to disconnect the battery before doing electrical repairs. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. This will prevent accidental damage to onboard electronics or wiring if you accidentally cross up the wrong wires or short out a live circuit.

Safety Check when Charging a Battery:

Make all connections between the battery charger and the battery to be charged before connecting to the power supply or turning “ON” any switches.
Never try to charge a ‘frozen’ battery.
Make sure that the voltage used to charge the system never exceeds the system design while charging. For instance, if you connect two 12-volt batteries in ‘series’ for charging you should use the 24-volt setting on the charger, however if you connect the same two batteries in ‘parallel’ you should only use the 12-volt setting on the charger.
Never allow a spark or flame to get near the battery.
Always use the markings on the battery to determine the positive and negative terminals. Never simply use the colour of the cables to determine the positive or negative terminals.
Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following tasks. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.

Safety Check when Jumping a Battery:

Make sure that the hood is secure with a stay rod before going under it.
A spark created above a battery can cause an explosion. So always follow these precautions:
- Keep your face and body as far back as you can while connecting jumper leads.
- Connect the leads in the correct order – positive on discharged battery; then positive on charged battery; then negative on charged battery; then negative to a good ground on the vehicle with the discharged battery – away from the battery itself.
- Do not connect the negative cable to the discharge battery because this may cause a spark.
- Only use specially designed heavy-duty jumper cables to start a vehicle with a dead battery. Do not try to connect the batteries with any other type of cable.
Always make sure that you wear the appropriate personal protection equipment before starting the job. Remember, batteries contain acid, and it is very easy to hurt yourself even when the most exhaustive protection measures are taken.
Always make sure that your work area/environment is as safe as you can make it. Do not use damaged, broken, or worn-out workshop equipment.
Always follow any manufacturer’s personal safety instructions to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out tasks.

Electrical Safety

General electrical safety rules

Do not climb on overhead power line poles or structures.
Do not try to free something that is lodged in the overhead power lines.
Do not direct a hose at overhead power lines.
Do not touch overhead power lines that have been brought down by storms or fallen trees.
Do not climb in trees that are near overhead power lines.
Do not throw pieces of wire over electric overhead power lines.
Do not replace electric bulbs, plugs, lamp holder’s fuse or anything else before switching of the power supply.
Let the surrounding people know if you are switching the power off in case somebody switches it on again.
Do not use electrical apparatus with broken or damaged power cords or insulation.
Do not use twin flex on appliances that uses a great amount of power.
Do not place electric irons on the top of a table, use asbestos to place the iron on and stand the iron on its top.
Do not forget to switch appliances off after use.
Do not use electrical appliances in the bathroom.
Do not withdraw a plug from the wall socket before switching off the wall socket.
Do not tug at the cord of a plug when you are removing it.
Do not use a plug with a broken or missing cover.
Do not connect wires to the wall socket by jamming it in the holes with matches.
Do not overload a wall socket.
Roll up power extension lines that are not in use.
Do not pinch power cords under doors, windows, or furniture.
Do not touch or try to move a person who has had an electric shock and is still in contact with the power line. Switch the power off at the main board.

How to secure a person with electrical shock

Remove person to a safe place by pulling him by his clothes or using an insulating medium like rope, gloves to free him from the contact point.
Loosen clothes around his neck and make sure that he gets enough fresh air.
Resuscitate the person if unconscious (emergency treatment).
Bend the head slightly backwards to prevent the persons tongue from restricting the back of the throat.
Keep him warm, calm, and comfortable when the person regains consciousness.
No liquids must be administered to the person.
Call for help.

Reduce the risk of electrical injury with overhead power lines

Check the location and height of power lines before beginning work anywhere near them.
Always leave at least 15 metres clearance between any buildings (e.g., grain bins) and overhead power lines.
Trim tree branches that could touch power lines.
Do not climb any tree near a power line.
Make sure TV and radio antennas on rooftops and elsewhere are at least three metres away from all power lines.
Do not fly kites and model airplanes near power lines.
Never store or handle grain probes, irrigation pipes, steel reinforcement bars and bin hoists near power lines.

Reduce the Risk of Contact with Overhead Power Lines

Know safe distances for working near power lines.
Know the height of all equipment.
Lower equipment (e.g., augers, bin hoists) before moving even a short distance.
Have someone who knows minimum distance requirements ‘watch for lines’ when moving equipment.
Locate power lines that cross public roads.
Plan a safe route for moving large equipment.
Never attempt to raise or move a power line.

Safety rules when installing or working on electrical installations

Wear a safety overall and safety boots with rubber soles.
Make sure that electricity is switched off before working on an electrical installation.
Place a sign at the isolation switch to warn people of work being done on the installation.
Zero and overload protectors must be installed in the starters of motors to protect it.
Inspect electrical equipment on a regular basis to determine if earth wires are still in place and in working order.
Inspect wires for bad connections, cracked insulation, defective joints in cables and broken lids of distribution boards.
Do all installation works on electrical installations according to the regulations that is prescribed.