Examining health, safety and environmental procedures in a motor vehicle maintenance workshop
Abstract
The purpose of this research project was to identify the gaps in health, safety and environmental procedures being used in a motor vehicle maintenance workshop and to recommend appropriate engineering and administrative control measures to bridge these gaps. With a lack of proper HSE procedures being employed in motor vehicle maintenance workshops, mechanics are exposed to destructive levels of hazards such as cuts and burns, harmful chemicals, prolonged exposure to exhaust fumes, hot noisy environments,strenuous postures, improperly designed tools and machinery and poor psycho-social environments. The methodology applied during the survey was field observations, focus groups, a camera, documents and records. The survey indicated that, any activities and equipment pose a wide range of risks and hazards. 70% of the workers reported injuries. Burns, hand cuts and bruises were the chief injuries being reported. Engine oil was the main chemical disposed off to the environment. In conclusion, the survey confirmed that mechanics are exposed to different occupational health and safety hazards. The study also showed a significant amount of engine oil and engine components poorly disposed off to the environment leading to massive contamination of water bodies. The study also further confirmed that there was a lack of knowledge on HSE.