Safety Reminder

[cudabob496]

I talked with Chryco, and he said it was okay for this topic. If anyone hears of someone getting seriously hurt, they should post the brief story, so that we can keep others from being hurt. I was thinking of a friends son, who was killed because he was tweaking on his car, and the coil discharged through him. I think the car was running, but don't have the details. The current damaged his heart, and he died two days later in the hospital. This was in St Helens, Oregon about 10 years ago, I think. Also, a kid recently had his van up on jacks, and the van slipped, killing him. So, be careful out there!

[DAYLEY/CHALLENGER]

   WE all need to be careful at play and at work.   The hurry up and quick fix can get you in trouble quick.  Stay around to enjoy the work you have done.

[dodge freak 2]

I always was told since back in high school 25 years ago, that the current from the spark coil can kill you. That never touch the spark plug wires while the motor was running with your bare hands.

Then came these Taser guns the police use, people started dieing after being shock but the cops alway claim the death was due to other causes???

We get 1-2 deaths each year over here from guys working on their cars. Last guy was in his 50's, so not always "kids".

Make sure the back wheels on these front wheel drive cars are block. The car can roll back and fell---it happen to me but I was not under it. Took like 2 seconds to happen.

[Pistol Gripper]

Jack stands.  I can't stress these enough.  Jacks fail, leak, cars roll.  Unless you can bench press your car, I'd suggest using them.

Don't use glass fuel filters,  electric fans turn on when you least expect them,  open the garage door when running the engine,  using a heater etc.

P.G.

[426HEMI]

Safety is very important.  Seems we get careless when working on our own things.  Not using suport where that it is needed.  Saying that nothing will ever happen to us.  Keep safety in mind at all times.

When working in a Ford Dealership I saw a car flip off of a rack when someone was changing a motor mount.  It flipped so fast that I thought it had pinned the guy under it.  Found out that no one got hurt.  Someone walking by had kicked the controls for the rack and the back had gone down.  The thing was that the car was really low mileage.  It was like a 1974 Maverick or about that year.  It was in really good condition and the dealer had to find another one just like it.  The owner of the car accepted the other car and all was well.  Sure was some tense moments when I saw the car flip!!!!

[bordin34]

Would don't actually use the bumper jack qualify as a safety rule?
Also put stops in front of and behind your wheels while jacking a car.

[dodge freak 2]

When I working in a dealership, we HAD to put a bar in the lift post, just in case the lift failed....never did but.

Blocking the wheels is the biggie, I believe. Thats the only time I had a car fell. It was on jack stands to. I seen it start to move and it just rolled back and the stands when over. The front wheels were off. Had a ***** of a time getting it back up. Used a bottle jack to lift one side, slip a block of wood under it, go to the other side and do the same thing. luckily there was no major damage.

[nivvy]

Last summer I was "reaching" under the car and adjusting the torsion bars and the bolt blew straight out the bottom of the car and the car dropped straight down! thank god I wasnt under the car!!! ALWAYS adjust the torsion bars with the suspension unloaded 

[ChallengerHK]

Don't use glass fuel filters

I second that.  I had a glass filter that decided to unscrew itself.  I heard this loud cross between a pop and a whoosh, opened the hood, and there was gas pumping everywhere. I'm back to the one piece plastic filters.

[ViperMan]

Last summer I was "reaching" under the car and adjusting the torsion bars and the bolt blew straight out the bottom of the car and the car dropped straight down! thank god I wasnt under the car!!! ALWAYS adjust the torsion bars with the suspension unloaded 

I didn't know that...

We adjusted my torsion bars last year - actually on '06 shortly after I bought it - before giving it it's first alignment in a bazillion years...  It was sitting on the rack - I think the alignment heads were already hung, too.  Hmm....

Jeff

[cudabob496]

I forgot to mention that when I was a teen, a neighbor was under his car in the garage, draining gas out of his tank. The gas water heater was 15 feeet away, but the pilot light still ignited the gas fumes, and the guy burned to death under his car, and his house burned down too! So, be careful out there!

[73Chally]

Another one I see from time to time is people welding on or near their gas tank without properly venting the fumes, and igniting them.

[6packCuda]

I saw some redneck at a demo derby leaning over the carb pouring gas into the carb out of a coke bottle while his buddy cranked the engine over. Well, you can guess what happened next. Car back fired spraying the guy with gas and igniting him. He suffered serious burns to his face and upper body.

[go-fish]

Don't let kids play in your cars!
When I was a wee little guy, my dad's buddy came over and he had a neat old Ford that I always liked. I was playing like I was driving it and popped it out of gear and the e-brake wasn't set. It rolled back about 15 feet and slammed into a tree.
The truck had a big welded bumper and wasn't hurt. I was crying because I thought for sure I was gonna get a wupin' but they were all laughing, it could've been bad.
I was about five and scared me to death.
Set the e-brake and even though little ones might like to pretend like they're driving it can be deadly.

[73EStroker]

Basically there are many things to look out for to a) firstly prevent injury or death to persons and b) prevent damage to vehicle and property. Always do a job safety audit with what if scenarios. Like "I am jacking the car up what do I need?" " I am driving on to ramps so is the ground beneath the ramps stable and flat" " Are the ramps approved for that use" " Dealing with gasoline - ignition sources, closed area, fire extinguisher handy, etc"

There are too many scenarios to list but you may get the picture. The big secret is don't be in a hurry. It only takes one slip and you could be putting hand controls in your car or worse........... Lets be careful, grow old dodging cops after laying those big patches, die naturally at a ripe ol age and then hand these monsters down through the natural genetic tree of our families.

Remember <ALL ACCIDENTS ARE PREVENTABLE> Think about that statement for a while!