How To Keep Your Workplace Safe For Diesel Mechanics

Workplace safety is important for every job; however, for a diesel mechanic who is working on large and heavy engines that produce toxic fumes, good workplace safety measures are a necessity. Without safety protocols, professionals working in this role can be vulnerable to plenty of risks.

If you’re considering a career as a diesel mechanic, read on to learn how you help keep your workplace safe once you begin your career.

Always Have Some Form of Ventilation

During diesel mechanic training, you will learn of the dangers of diesel exhaust. Diesel exhaust is the mixture of gasses, vapours, and other harmful substances emitted from the combustion of diesel fuel. It can be very dangerous when inhaled. Short-term inhalation can result in coughing, headaches, or nausea. Long-term exposure has more severe effects, such as an increased risk of various illnesses. To avoid this and make your workplace safer, it is important always to have some form of ventilation. Having ventilation will help rid your workplace of diesel exhaust. Ventilation could be as simple as working outside, keeping windows and doors open, or having large-scale industrial extractor fans. During your training, you will practice in well-ventilated areas to ensure that you are unaffected by diesel exhaust.

Work on engines outside or in well-ventilated areas as taught in diesel mechanic training.

Be Cautious When Working on Engines After Diesel Mechanic School

The ability to shut down an engine when it becomes dangerous is a great way to improve workplace safety. In hydrocarbon-rich environments, hydrocarbons can become an ignition source. These flammable vapours draw into a diesel engine’s intake system along with the clean air and can cause an increase in engine speed, resulting in the engine accelerating. With the increased speed, the engine can draw in more air, leading to a vicious cycle until the engine suffers overspeed or runaway. This can become a fire and explosion hazard that could lead to valve bounce, sparks, or flame, exposing you to potential injury.

That’s why it is important to have safety measures in place to stop the engine from getting to this point. For example, some of the safety valves you can install in your workplace are an air intake shutoff valve, a master safety shutdown device, or a diesel fuel shutoff valve. During diesel mechanic school, you will be exposed to these safety features. When you become a qualified diesel mechanic, it will be important to remember them, and protecting yourself from serious harm.

Ensure Truck and Engine Support at all Times

Regular petrol and diesel engines are heavy, but diesel truck engines are substantially heavier. A truck engine can weigh anywhere between 2000 (907 kg) and 3000 pounds (1360 kg). With this in mind, don’t let them fall on your feet. Most aspects of the engine are easily accessible in a truck; however, if you need to remove an engine, make sure that you have and use a proper engine hoist in your workplace. This will help you safely remove the engine, protecting yourself from injury. During your training, you will learn to operate truck engine hoists, as they are incredibly important for your safety.

If you need to work under the truck, most auto and truck shops have a lowered access passage beneath where the truck sits in the shop. However, if this is not the case and you need to lift a truck, make sure that it is properly supported. Use either a platform lift or mobile column lifts. These will help lift the vehicle and support its weight, allowing you to work on the engine from underneath. Learning to use these lifts and how important they are when working under a truck will be covered in your training.