april2021 - 29

we have found to work best are fabric-based gloves
dipped in nitrile. That type of glove allows for
some breathability, decent dexterity, and longer
life than the throw-away, single-use type of glove. "
For flooded cell batteries, Olson says Ryder
technicians opt for some additional protection.
Gloves that protect both the hand and forearm
are necessary. These gloves are kept next to a
battery charging station along with a face shield
and full apron.
Though not terribly common yet, LNG engines
require cryogenic protection gloves due to the
extremely low temperatures of this alternative
fuel. " A technician also wants a full face shield
if working on fuel storage tanks or fuel lines, "
Olson adds.
One other " hazardous material " a heavy duty
technician will often run into is a sharp-edged
piece of metal. To protect against this, Olson says
technicians should wear Level 5 cut-proof gloves
when working around machined surfaces or other
sharp edges found throughout a vehicle.
" This type of glove is especially helpful in tight
quarters where it is difficult to maneuver, such as
under the dash, " Olson relates. " We have found
gloves like this that provide great protection but
also excellent dexterity. That combination is very
important for a technician who needs to do tasks
where bare fingers are preferred, such as when
working with small fasteners. "
Getting back to the various liquid hazards in
a shop, the unfortunate truth is that technicians
sometimes find themselves dealing with a spill or
leak. New Pig's Iuzzolino says pre-planning and
training are keys to mitigation.
" Spill clean-up materials - including absorbent
pads, socks, loose absorbents, and pre-packaged
spill kits - should be selected based on the type
of liquids a technician needs to absorb, " Iuzzolino
says. " They should also be made easily accessible
in the event of a spill. "
According to Iuzzolino, self-contained spill
kits are ideal for accidental leaks and spills
from drums, containers, or bulk storage tanks.
Pre-packed spill kits are available in various
sizes and configurations. They are sized to absorb
spills from less than one gallon to several hundred
gallons at one time.
" Keep in mind that the volume of spill cleanup materials kept on hand should be based on
the volume of liquid you may need to respond
to, " Iuzzolino says. " Consideration should also
be taken as to where the kit will be stored. Once
the location is determined, select the type of kit
container that works best for your needs - a portable bag, wheeled container, or stationary drums
or overpacks. "

Staying safe around lifts

When proper care is not exercised, vehicle lifts
can lead to hazardous conditions in a fleet maintenance facility. Aside from using a proper lift with
the proper ratings, it's critical for technicians to
understand how to work with and around the lift
in a safe way.
" Each lift manufacturer provides a manual for
the safe operation of the lift along with a schedule
of safety checks that should be strictly adhered

" For liquid chemical
protection, we utilize
nitrile gloves for
cleaning parts with
aqueous solvents, as
well as when handling
grease, coolant, fuel,
and motor oil. "
Larry Olson, director of field
maintenance for the West
Region at transportation and
logistics company Ryder

to, " says Matt Copot, vice president of maintenance
at Transervice. " Within each
manual are safety rules that
we provide to each technician
who will be using the lift. "
There is also a chapter on
lift safety in Transervice's
Technician's Safety Guide.
Topics include:
Ü What to do before lifting a
vehicle
Ü Inspecting the lift
Ü Driving onto the lift
Ü Operating the lift
Ü Notifying other personnel to
stay clear of the lift
Ü Maintaining load stability
Ü Lowering the lift
Clear, thorough training
aids like this can help usher
technicians onto a path
toward shop safety. Training
sessions on lift operation
should also be thorough.
" Any employee holding a
training meeting should read
from the manual and be sure
to cover several important
topics, " Copot says. Those
topics are pre-start inspections,
potential problems or malfunctions, workplace inspections,
and operator warnings and
instructions. " After reading
the safety training material,
the safety trainer can physically show technicians the
operation, safety, and emergency controls on the lift, " Copot
adds. " Once a technician has
been trained, have them sign
a training roster and maintain
it in their training file. "
Pagesy says Penske approves
all major tooling, including
vehicle lifts, that its service

locations purchase. When a new lift is approved
and installed at a facility, the manufacturer typically comes in to provide training.
Pagesy says lift-related accidents are not
commonplace throughout the Penske service
network. He credits the outstanding equipment,
training, and support from the lift manufacturers
Penske partners with.
Hough agrees, adding, " Anytime we negotiate a
lift purchase, we ask for extended inspections of
a year or two. Then the manufacturer rep comes
in and inspects the lift and certifies it. This also
provides a great opportunity for technicians to
ask questions. "
Asking questions should always be encouraged
when establishing a shop safety culture. After all,
asking questions is the foundation of learning.
Then, answering those questions with thorough,
ongoing training - supported by clear policies,
procedures, and expectations - allows a fleet to
establish safety accountability, which is the foundation of a sustained safety culture.
For related content, visit:
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April 2021 | FleetMaintenance.com

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april2021

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