Auto Repair Safety
The hardworking people who make up the auto repair industry keep our vehicles on the road. In the case of technicians, this often involves risks to their personal safety.
In the United States alone, over a million technicians perform their work in over 286,000 shops. Because of the physical nature of this work, the tools and materials used, and the fast-paced repair shop environment, these technicians are exposed to various hazards and the potential for injury.
Protecting the safety of these workers is paramount. The purpose of this guide is to empower shop management and technicians to foster safe working environments and reduce or eliminate injuries.
Auto repair injury statistics
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, technicians in the United States suffered over 17,000 injuries, including over 9,000 injuries that required time off work, in the year 2022 (the most recent year for which data is available).
Types of injuries
The multifaceted work done in repair shops creates the risk of many different types of injuries, including:
- Sprains, strains, tears
- Fractures
- Cuts, lacerations, punctures
- Bruises, contusions
- Burns
- Chemical burns, corrosions
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Soreness, pain
Contents of the guide
This guide is broken down into sections covering different auto repair topics. Each section includes links to additional resources and other sections when appropriate.
