SCENARIO
Hapford Garage is a small, independent, motor vehicle repair workshop, situated on a busy industrial
estate, close to the centre of a small town. The Garage is jointly owned by the two lead mechanics,
who recently went into partnership together to buy the business. Two other mechanics are also
employed, both have worked at the Garage for many years; one works full-time, the other is semi-
retired, working part-time, two days a week. Recently a 17-year-old apprentice mechanic has started
work; they also attend college on a day-release basis as part of their apprenticeship. A yardperson
keeps the workshop and yard area clean and tidy, moves vehicles when required and other general
duties. There is also an office worker based in the reception area.
The Garage building is of brick construction with a corrugated metal roof. A central roof vent (with
two fans beneath) helps provide ventilation. The building consists of a large open space workshop
with full width metal concertina doors opening out from one end of the building onto the concrete yard
area. The yard is open to the road with no perimeter fencing, and although compact, has sufficient
parking spaces (which are clearly marked out) for customer cars, along with room to manoeuvre. A
small extension to the back of the building houses the reception area, toilets and rest room.
Customers are not permitted to enter the workshop; they enter the building via an external door
directly into the reception area. Customer seating is provided in the reception area, along with a
viewing window where customers can safely watch work being carried out on their vehicle if they
wish. Double doors, between reception and the workshop, enable easy access between areas for
the workers.
To the left hand side of the workshop is a vehicle inspection pit, edges are clearly marked and it is
covered when not in use. To the centre and right of the workshop are two, four-post vehicle lifts.
Standing against the left-side wall of the workshop are storage cupboards for tools, equipment, and
materials, and on the right-side wall is a large sink for hand-washing. Relevant safety data sheets for
all materials used are displayed on the back wall.
Some organisations on the industrial estate operate on a 24-hour basis, Hapford Garage opens from
08.30 - 17.30, six days a week. Both lead mechanics are usually on site from 07.00 each day, to
help ensure they are prepared for the day ahead. To avoid too many late finishes, they share the
responsibility of counting the money taken and securing the site at the end of each day. This process
takes over an hour. One of the lead mechanics may occasionally continue to work after 17.30 before
carrying out the close-of-day activities.
The majority of the work carried out involves servicing of vehicles, and mechanical repairs to cars
and small vans. Although some welding and bodywork repairs (including panel beating) are done on
site, all paint spraying is outsourced to a local body repair shop.
While diagnosing engine problems, it is often necessary to have an engine running. Many of the
vehicles serviced at the Garage have diesel engines, so diesel engine exhaust emissions (DEEE) are
produced. DEEE contain a complex mixture of gases, vapours, liquid aerosols and particulate
substances. The components of DEEE include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen
and sulphur and a number of organic materials.
During opening hours, the workshop’s large concertina doors are usually left open for ventilation,
(unless the weather is particularly bad). There is an emergency exit door to the left-hand side of the
workshop, with a window above (this window is fixed and does not open). The workshop external
walls contain six air-bricks that provide some additional ventilation.
Noise levels in the workshop are variable throughout the day. Certain tasks generate high levels of
noise. For example, during the use of pneumatic tools such as air saws and air compressors for
inflating tyres. Noise is also generated by the use of a bench grinder, orbital sanders and angle
grinders. These are only operated for short periods of time. Other tools such as hammers also
generate significant levels of noise. At other times, the only noise will be from the radio playing in the
background and people talking, both in person and on the phone.
As a single large open space, with brick walls and high ceiling, sound reverberates around the
workshop. Noise from the workshop can also be heard, to a lesser degree, in the reception area.
The workers are provided with several forms of hearing protection; a pair of earmuffs (which are
rather grimy) are located on a hook next to the storage cupboards in the workshop (for use by any of
the workers), and a box of single-use ear plugs are kept in a drawer in the reception area. Hearing
protection is rarely used in practice, as the workers prefer to be able to hear conversation going on
around them.
The part-time mechanic is competent, but can be very untidy, and has to be reminded to clear away
equipment and clean up oil spills. Overalls are provided (each worker taking their own overalls home
to wash). The part-time mechanic does not wash their overalls very often; they regularly look dirty
with oily rags seen protruding from their pockets. All workers use disposable, single use, nitrile
gloves. Sometimes there are not enough gloves available, so workers tend to wear them for long
periods, sometimes re-using them.
Eight weeks ago the part-time mechanic began to experience itchy, red, inflamed skin on their upper
thighs. Since then, it has gradually worsened, affecting a much larger area. They also have dry,
cracked skin on their hands. They have not mentioned this to anyone at work as they do not
consider it to be relevant. They are convinced it will get better by itself in time, so have not seen their
doctor about the problem. Constantly feeling itchy and sore, they are miserable at work. One of the
lead mechanics has noticed the part-time mechanic has not been their usual self and takes them to
one side to ask if they are okay. The worker reluctantly mentions the ‘itchy rash’ but does not go into
any detail. The lead mechanic thinks that the worker may have had an allergic reaction to something
and urges them to go to see their doctor about the problem. Later that day, the lead mechanic
unpacks a case of hand soap, and finds a poster about skin care in the box. Thinking back to the
earlier conversation, they put the poster up on the noticeboard in the rest room for information.
A few days later, the part-time mechanic brings a doctor’s letter into work which states the worker is
suffering from dermatitis, most likely caused by contact with used engine oil. Both lead mechanics
are shocked, but are keen to help. They discuss what changes they can make and decide upon the
following immediate actions:
• To use a contract laundry service to wash all workers’ overalls.
• To remind workers to read the safety data sheet for engine oil.
The young apprentice mechanic is very keen to learn, works hard, and gets on really well with
everyone at the Garage. Outgoing (and sometimes a little over-confident) they are happy to
challenge their more experienced colleagues if they think something is not being done ‘like they have
been taught at college’. In the college workshop, each vehicle exhaust is directly coupled to a hose
that forms part of an extraction system, venting to open air outside. In Hapford Garage, they are
reliant on natural ventilation, assisted by two ceiling fans. The apprentice tells the lead mechanics
they are putting everyone’s health at risk by not having an extraction system ‘like the one we use at
college’. The lead mechanics laugh, their immediate reaction being “Stop being so dramatic! We
don’t have anywhere near the number of vehicles in here that you have in college!”
However, the apprentice’s comment starts the lead mechanics thinking about their current
arrangements for ventilation. They are both aware that prolonged exposure to diesel fumes presents
a risk to health (coughing, increased sputum production and breathlessness). Also, long term
repeated exposure increases the risk of lung cancer. They also know that exposure to DEEE in the
workplace requires assessment and control. Deciding they may have dismissed the apprentice’s
concerns too quickly, both agree it would be a good idea to investigate installing a better ventilation
system.
- Subject Health And Safety Nebosh Scenario Hapford Garage Is A Small Independent Motor Vehicle Repair Workshop Sit 1 (28.03 KiB) Viewed 31 times