- Do keep a fire extinguisher and first aid kit within easy reach.
- Do wear safety glasses or goggles when cutting, drilling, grinding or prying.
If you wear glasses for the sake of vision, then they should be made of hardened
glass that can serve also as safety glasses, or wear safety goggles over your
regular glasses.
- Do shield your eyes whenever you work around the battery. Batteries contain
sulfuric acid. In case of contact with the eyes or skin, flush the area with
water or a mixture of water and baking soda and get medical attention immediately.
- Do use safety stands for any under-vehicle service. Jacks are for raising
vehicles. Safety stands are for making sure the vehicle stays raised until
you want it to come down. Whenever the vehicle is raised, block the wheels
remaining on the ground and set the parking brake.
- Do use adequate ventilation when working with any chemicals, the asbestos
dust resulting from brake lining wear can cause cancer.
- Do disconnect the negative battery cable when working on the electrical
system. The primary ignition system contains an extremely high voltage.
- Do follow manufacturer's directions whenever working with potentially hazardous
materials. Both brake fluid and antifreeze are poisonous if taken internally.
- Do properly maintain your tools. Loose hammerheads, mushroomed punches and
chisels, frayed or poorly grounded electrical cords, excessively worn screwdrivers,
spread wrenches (open end), cracked sockets, slipping ratchets, or faulty
droplight sockets can cause accidents.
- Do use the proper size and type of tool for the job being done.
- Do when possible, pull a wrench handle rather than push on it, and adjust
your stance to prevent a fall.
- Do be sure that adjustable wrenches are tightly adjusted on the nut or bolt
and pulled so that the face is on the side of the fixed jaw.
- Do select a wrench or socket that fits the nut or bolt. The wrench or socket
should sit straight, not cocked.
- Do strike squarely with a hammer. Avoid glancing blows.
- Do set the parking brake and block the drive wheels if the work requires
that the engine be running.