Auto Repair Shop Safety and Inspection Checklist
By using this safety and inspection checklist to ensure safety measures help protect employees from accidental injuries to themselves, their co-workers, customers, and the vehicles they are repairing.
MaintainX
07/22/2022
Auto Repair Shop Safety and Inspection Checklist
By using this safety and inspection checklist to ensure safety measures help protect employees from accidental injuries to themselves, their co-workers, customers, and the vehicles they are repairing.
Automotive Lifts
Are lifts in good working condition?
Do all lifts traverse their full designed range of motion without any problems?
Do all lifts have clear labels explaining acceptable operating environments (slope, wind speed, temperature, etc)
Are operating instructions clearly posted on each lift?
Compressed Gas Storage
Are cylinders legible marked to clearly identify the contents?
Are cylinders stored in areas that are protected from external heat sources?
Are cylinders located or stored in areas where they will not be damaged by passing or falling objects or tampered with by unauthorized persons?
Are cylinders stored or transported in a manner to prevent them from creating a hazard by slipping, falling or rolling?
Are valve protectors/caps in place on cylinders that are not in use?
Do low pressure fuel gas cylinders display any corrosion, cracks, distortion or other defect?
Are fuel gas stored separately from oxygen cylinders, separated by at least 20' or by a 1-hour rated firewall?
Are cylinders properly supported to prevent them from falling over?
Exit Routes
Are all exit routes marked as such and illuminated?
Are doors, passageways or stairways that do not lead to exits properly marked as "NOT AN EXIT" or with an indication of its actual use?
Are all exits free from obstruction?
Do all exit doors open from the inside without the use of a key, tool or any special knowledge?
Are all emergency lights in proper working condition?
Flammable Liquid Storage
Are combustible materials stored in covered metal receptacles?
Are flammable and combustible liquids stored in approved containers?
Are flammable liquids that are not in use stored in closed containers?
Are bulk drums of flammable liquids grounded and bonded to containers during dispensing?
Do storage rooms have explosion proof lights and adequate ventilation?
Are "NO SMOKING" signs posted on liquified petroleum (LP) gas tanks and in areas where flammable or combustible materials are used and stored?
Are storage tanks adequately vented to prevent the deveolpment of excessive vacuum or pressure?
Garage Exposures
Is the garage floor clear and free of obstruction?
Are all floor openings properly marked and covered or barricaded?
Is the waste storage area labeled, free of spills and the limits of the area marked?
Are fire extinguishers available in the work areas?
Is the general lighting adequate for the work being done?
Is there adequate ventilation and adequate local ventilation for carbon monoxide from tailpipe exhaust systems?
Are aisles, emergency exits, and work areas free of stored materials?
Are eye flushing stations available, clean and in working condition?
Are flammable liquids properly stored in approved fire cabinets?
Is flammabe refuse, such as oily rags, stored properly in a fire-resistant metal enclosure?
Are overhead doors in proper working condition?
Is adequate space available around all machinery and doors to allow safe operation?
Are aisles and emergency exits clear of obstructions?
Are clearly visible exit signs posted over doors?
Are floors free of clutter that might cause slips, trips and falls?
Are signs used to identify slippery floors when wet or during clean-up?
Do stairs have handrails that are in good condition?
Grinders
Are work rests installed and adjusted to within 1/8" of the wheel?
Is the adjustable tongue on the top side of the grinder used and kept within 1/4" of the wheel?
Do side guards cover the spindle, nut and flange as well as 75% of the wheel diameter?
Are bench and pedestal grinders permanently mounted?
Is the maximum RPM rating on each abrasive wheel compatible with the RPM rating of the grinder motor?
Are fixed or permantently mounted grinders connected to their electrical supply with metallic conduit or other permanent wiring?
Does each grinder have an individual on/off control switch?
Is each electrically powered grinder grounded properly?
Are dust collectors and powered exhausts provided where needed on grinders?
Are splash guards mounted on grinders that use coolant?
Is the area around each grinder clean?
Hand Tools
Are all tools in good working condition?
Do any hand tools, such as chisels, punches, etc. show signs of mushroomed heads?
Do any hammers, axes or similar equipnment have broken or fractured handles?
Are any wrenches worn or bent?
Do all filed have appropriate handles?
Are all floor jacks in good operating condition?
Are tool handles wedged tightly in the heads of all tools?
Are all tool cutting edges sharp so that the tool will move smoothly without binding or skipping?
Are tools that are not in use stored in dry, secure locations?
Hazard Communications/Chemical Handling
Are eyewash fountains and safety showers provided and in working order where corrosive chemicals are handled?
Are chemical containers labeled properly?
Is proper PPE available when necessary to handle chemicals?
Are flammable and toxic chemicals properly stored in closed containers when not in use?
Are chemical piping systems clearly marked as to content?
Are adequate means readily available for containing spills or overflows properly and safely?
Are respirators, if needed, stored in a convenient, clean and sanitary location?
If respirators are used, are all employees properly trained on their usage and limitations?
are respirators clean and in good condition?
Are hazardous substanced handled only in properly designed and exhausted locations?
Is there a list of hazardous substances that are used in your workplace?
Is the written hazard communication plan up to date?
Are all Material Safety Data Sheets up to date and readily available?
Are all containers of hazardous substances labeled properly with the product identity and any applicable hazard warnings?
Is the master list of chemicals used up to date?
Are flammable liquids grounded while in storage?
Are flammable liquids grounded and bonded during transfer?
Is secondary containment (e.g., berms) provided for chemicals and wastes stored outside of the building?
Housekeeping
Is a first aid kit available and adequately stocked?
Are all exits clearly marked, unlocked and free of obstruction?
Are work areas properly illuminated?
Are spray painting operations, if present, done in spray rooms or booths equipped with proper exhaust systems?
Are noise levels in work areas within acceptable levels?
Are caution labels and signs used to warn of hazardous substances and biohazards?
Are grinders, saws and other machines that produce respirable dust vented to an industrial collector or central exhaust system?
Are water outlets not suitable for drinking clearly identified as such?
Is there safe clearance for equipment through all aisles and doorways?
Are aisles properly marked and kept clear?
Are hand trucks maintained in safe operating condition?
Are shelves secured and constructed to withstand the maximum deisgnated storage weight?
Are shelves secured to prevent tipping or falling?
Are floors free of clutter that might cause slips, trips and falls?
Are signs used to identify slippery floors when wet or during clean-up?
Do stairs have handrails that are in good condition?
Ladders
Are non-slip feet intact on each ladder?
Are ladder rungs and steps free from grease and oil?
Do any ladders have broken or missing steps, rungs, or cleats, broken side rails, or other faulty equipment?
Are metal ladders legibly marked with signs cautioning against using them around electrical power sources?
Are rungs of ladders uniformly spaced at 12", center to center?
Lock Out/Tag Out
Are all equipment control valve handles provided with a means of lockout?
Do appropriate employees have individually keyed safety locks?
Are all machines being service properly locked out to prevent accidental usage?
Machine Guarding
Is all machinery and equipment clean and properly maintained?
Is sufficient clearance provided around and between machines to allow for safe operations, servicing, material handling and waste removal?
Is equipment and machinery securely placed and anchored, when necessary, to prevent tipping or other movement that could result in personal injury?
Is the power shut-off switch within reach of the operator's position at each machine?
Can electric power to each machine be locked-out for maintenance, repair or security?
Are non-current carrying metal parts of electrically operated machines bonded and grounded?
Are foot-operated switches guarded or arranged to prevent accidental actuation by personnel or falling objects?
Are manually operated valves and switches controlling the oepration of equipment and machines clearly identified and readily accessible?
Are all emergency stop buttons brightly colored or placarded?
Are all pulleys and belts that are within 7' of the floor or working level properly guarded?
Are all moving chains and gears properly guarded?
Are splash guards mounted on machines that use coolant to prevent coolant from reaching the employees?
Are methods provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine areas from hazards created at the point of operation, nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and spakes?
Are machinery guards secure and arranged so they do not offer a hazard when in use?
If special hand tools are used for placing and removing material, do they protect the operator's hands?
Are revolving drums, barrels and containers guarded by an enclosure that is interlocked with the drive mechanism so that revolution cannot occur unless the guard enclosures are in place?
Do arbors and mandrels have firm and secure bearings and are they free from play?
Are provisions made to prevent machines from automatically starting when power is restured after a power failure or shutfown?
Are machines constructed so as to be free from excessive vibration when the largest sized tool is mounted and run at full speed?
If machinery is cleaned with compressed air, is air pressure control and PPE, or other safguards, utilitized to protect operators and other workers from eye and body injury?
Are fan blades protected with a guard having openings no larger that 1/2" when operating within 7' of the floor?
Are saws used for ripping equipped with anti-kickback devices and spreaders?
Are radial arm saws so arranged that the cutting head will gently return to the back of the table when released?
Material Handling
Do employees carry loads in excess of 50 lbs by hand?
Are mechanical means provided to carry heavy or awkward loads safely?
Are aisles and pathways clear of debris and clearly marked?
Office
Are all aisles, passageways and doorways clean and clear of obstruction?
Are chairs, benches and other seating surfaces clean, in good condition and lacking undue signs of wear or fatigue?
Are adjustable chairs provided for employees that spend significant time seated?
Is sufficient lighting provided in all work areas?
Are monitors positioned comfortably, with employee eye level near the top of each screen?
Are cords arranged such that they do not cause a tripping hazard to employees?
Are office supplies stored such that they are easily accessible without undue employee strain?
Are floor coverings in good condition, free of slip or trip hazards?
Parking/Sidewalks
Are paved surfaces smooth and free of large cracks or unevenness?
Are all surfaces free of ice and snow?
Are parking spaces clearly marked and sufficiently sized?
Are outdoor areas sufficiently lit at night?
Power Tools
Are portable electrical tools and equipment grounded or have double insulation?
Are grinders, saws and similar equipment provided with appropriate, properly installed safety guards?
Are inspection dates marked on all power tools and cords?
Do portable circular saws have guards above and below the base shoe?
Are any circular saw guards wedged up in a fashion that leaves the lower portion of the blade unguarded?
Are rotating or moving parts of equipment guarded to prevent physical contact?
Are effective guards in place over belts, pulley, chains and sprockets?
Do portable fans have guards or screens with openings of 1/2" or less?
Do pneumatic or hydraulic hoses on power-operated tools show signs of deterioration or damage?
Are tools needing repair tagged with a "Do Not Use" sign?
Do employees avoid wearing loose clothes, jewelry or gloves that can get caught in machinery?
Are all electrical cords intact (not frayed)?
Do all electrial cords have intact grounding prongs?
Personal Protective Equipment
Are protective goggles or face shields provided and worn where there is a danger of flying particles or corrosive materials?
Are approved safety glasses worn at all times in areas where there is a risk of eye injuries?
Are protective gloves, aprons, shields or other means provided where employees could be cut or where there is reasonably anticipated exposure to; corrosive liquids, chemicals, blood or other potentially dangerous materials?
Are hard hats provided and worn where danger of falling objects exists?
Do hard hats show any sign of damage to the shell or suspension system?
Is appropriate foot protection provided?
Are approved respirators provided for regular and emergency use as needed?
Is PPE maintained in a sanitary condition and ready for use?
Is hearing protection required when noise levels exceed 85 dBa?
Are adequate work procedures and PPE provided and used when cleaning up spilled toxic or hazardous materials or liquids?
Are appropriate hypoallergenic gloves, glove liners, powderless gloves, or other similar alternatives readily available?
Recordkeeping
Are OSHA 300/300A logs maintained?
Are employee medical and exposure records maintained as required?
Are training records maintained?
Are employee records maintained?
Are all operating permits and records up-to date?
Are current Motor Vehicle Records available for all employee drivers?
Are records kept of all safety inspections?
Are records kept of safety meetings?
Are records kept of accident investigations?
Are records kept of any emergency response drills?
Restroom
Are toilet and sink surfaces clean?
Are adequate provision made for hand-washing (hot water, soap, towels or hand-dryers)
Are floor surfaces clean and dry?
Is a record of cleaning and resupply dates/times clearly displayed?
Shop Equipment
Are all lifts and hoists in proper working condition?
Do lifts, hoists or mounts exhibit any sign of undue wear, such as corrosion or warping?
Are all hoses in good condition and free of leaks or excessive wear?
Spraying
Is mechanical ventilation present and in working order where necessary?
Are spray areas free of hot surfaces?
Are all ignition sources (flames, sparks, electrical motors, etc) at least 20 feet from spraying areas?
Is necessary respiratory equipment available and in working condition?
Are fire sprinkler heads clean?
Are "NO SMOKING" signs clearly posted in all spray and paint storage areas?
Are spray area floors and baffles clean?
Stairways
Are stairways clearly marked?
Are stairwells well lit?
Are stairwells clean and free of debris?
Are handrails secure and in good repair?
Are stairwell exit doors unlocked as appropriate?
Storage Areas
Are shelves secured and constructed to withstand the maximum deisgnated storage weight?
Are shelves secured to prevent tipping or falling?
Welding Equipment
Are all welding or soldering apparatus in good condition free of damage?
Are stored fuel and oxygen tanks properly separated?
Are stored fuel and oxygen tanks properly secured by chains or other substantial restraints?
Are gas hoses and electrical supply lines in good repair and free of substantial wear or defect?
Are hoses and lines of sufficient length to allow employees adequate range of movement while welding?
Are screens in place to protect non-welding personnel from directly viewing weld sparks?
Is sufficient ventilation provided to prevent employees from inhaling spent welding gasses and byproducts?
Are signs requiring the use of eye protection clearly posted near weldin equipment?
Are welding masks/helmets with proper shading available for all employees engaged in welding?
Are means provided to adequately secure work product to the working surface?
Workplace Postings
Are OSHA and state required posters prominently displayed?
Are safety/warning signs properly posted where appropriate?
Are emergency phone numbers posted prominently?
Is a first aid kit available and adequately stocked?
Are emergency evacuation routes identified and prominently posted?
Source: MaintainX (Community Member)