Auto Repair Checklist Template – Fill Out and Use

Section A : G e n e r a l W a l k - T h r o u g h o f S i t e

1. Materials and Waste Storage & Management

(Including oils, solvents, antifreeze and gasoline)

oFlammable and hazardous liquids are stored in containers that are either approved by the US. Department of Transportation or by the State Fire Marshall, or listed and labeled by the National Registration and Testing Laboratory (UL-listed).

oLids are tight-fitting and sealed, and bungs are closed.

oContainers, tanks, and flammables cabinets are labeled with the name of the material they hold (for example, waste oil) and the type of hazard they present (e.g., flammable).

oFlammables are stored in an area (such as an air-tight metal

cabinet, metal cabinet vented to the outside, or flammables storage room) approved by the local fire department.

oWaste storage area is labeled and limits of area are marked.

oFlammable liquids are grounded and bonded during transfer, and grounded during storage.

oThere are no leaks or excessive spillage in chemical or waste storage areas, including around solvent sinks, pumps, pipes, hoses, couplings, fittings, and valves.

oDrums of materials and wastes stored outside of the building have secondary containment (e.g., berms). Otherwise, drums are empty and clean.

2 . Building

oBuilding has two-hour firewalls (two walls of sheetrock or masonry) between repair garage and attached structures.

oFire doors are equipped with automatic closures.

oAll openings in walls and ceilings are sealed.

oA 40BC fire extinguisher is available, with 10BC extinguishers positioned every 50 feet. (Additional extinguishers may be necessary if the building is made of combustible materials.)

oEmployees have been trained in the use of fire extinguishers.

oSigns are posted over each extinguisher.

oAisles and emergency exits are clear, and exit signs are posted

over doors.

oSmoking is prohibited where the repair work is done and allowed only in designated areas.

oElectrical receptacles have no open grounds or reverse polarity.

oCircuits are labeled and the circuit box is closed. Access to the circuit box is clear within 5-10 feet.

oElectrical outlets have cover plates. No wires are frayed, damaged, or taped off.

oWiring is enclosed in Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) or rigid

metal pipe.

oThere is adequate central ventilation and adequate local ventilation for carbon monoxide from tailpipe exhaust systems.

oLighting is adequate.

3.Floors

oFloor drains are connected to the sewer (with approval from sewer authority) or equipped with an approved oil-water separator or tight tank.

oThere are no cracks in the floor that would allow leakage.

oFloors are made of noncombustible material, free of oil and grease, and sealed.

4.General Equipment

oUnderground storage tank and above-ground storage tanks are permitted by appropriate state agency or local fire department (as required).

oWaste oil furnaces are permitted by appropriate state agency or local fire department (as required).

oThere are no illegal furnaces or space heaters in use.

oLifts have operable safety locks, and are tested and serviced monthly.

oElectrical cords are intact and have grounding prongs.

oLight bulbs are teflon-coated (rough service).

5.Health & Safety

oThe shop has written contingency plans for fire prevention, emer- gencies, and spill control.

oSpill control materials are available on site.

oMaterial Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are available for all toxic chemicals.

oNo food is consumed in the shop area.

oEyewash and showers providing 15 minutes of continuous flush are available in areas where acids and bases are used.

oEmployees are trained in chemical hazard, safety, and emergency preparedness.

S e c t i o n B : A u t o S h o p O p e r a t i o n s

6. Routine Car Maintenance

(Managing waste oil, oily rags, and absorbents)

oDrained waste fluids such as waste oil, antifreeze, and solvents are stored in separate drums or tanks.

oWaste oil is removed by a licensed transporter or burned on-site in an approved heater.

oOil filters are punctured and hot drained over waste oil drum for the required amount of time, and then recycled or disposed properly.

oOily shop rags are placed in sealed, labeled metal containers and are managed properly.

oOily absorbents are disposed according to state regulations.

7.Solvent Parts Cleaning

oSolvent parts cleaner is closed.

oA licensed transporter picks up and recycles solvents or disposes solvents as hazardous waste.

oParts cleaner is labeled with material name and hazard type.

oIf a flammable solvent is used, the parts cleaner has a fusible link that locks shut in the case of fire.

oParts cleaner is registered with the state environmental agency

(if required).

8. Exhaust System Repair

oWelding/cutting is permitted by the local fire department.

oCompressed gas cylinders are firmly installed by chaining to a portable dolly or to the wall in an upright position.

oFire extinguishers are available in the welding/cutting area.

oEmployees wear protective clothing and welding helmets with shields.

oFlammables are not used or stored nearby.

oMachinery is grounded.

oLocal ventilation is adequate.

9.Brake Repair ( Grinding drums and turning rotors )

oEmployees wear safety glasses with side shields.

oEquipment is bolted into the floor.

oPullies on the grinder are covered with a safety guard.

oThe grinding wheel offset is no greater than 1/8 inch.

oShop uses HEPA filtered vacuum system or a wet method of grind- ing to prevent asbestos exposure.

10. Air Conditioner and Radiator Servicing

oRefrigerant recovery machines are licensed by U.S. EPA.

oRefrigerant recovery operators are certified by U.S. EPA.

oAntifreeze is labeled and recycled or disposed properly.

oIf radiator repair includes brazing, procedures are in place to control and monitor lead.

11. Battery and Tire Storage

oBatteries are stored in a single layer on pallets or shelving with an impermeable base, and are properly recycled.

oTires stored outside are covered and properly disposed.

SECTION C: Deficiencies and Recommended Actions

Use this section to note areas where the shop is out of compliance, and to provide information about how to correct deficiencies or any other comments.

Comments

The information in this document is based on regulations of the National Fire Prevention Code (NFPC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Compliance with this document does not constitute full compliance with NFPC, OSHA, or US EPA laws and regulations.

S E C T I O N A :

G e n e r a l S i t e C o n d i t i o n s

Material Storage & Management

Purchasing

•Order chemicals in appropriate amounts. Expired chemicals are costly to dispose and may pose a fire hazard.

•Inspect materials immediately upon deliv- ery for leaks or other damage.

•Purchase multi-purpose materials to reduce the number of hazardous chemicals in the shop.

•Ask your supplier for the least hazardous materials suitable for the job. Review the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) prior to purchase.

Storage

•Organize and label oils, chemicals, and haz- ardous materials in a single storage area.

•Create an inventory system for oils, chemi- cals, and hazardous materials. Rotate your inventory.

•Keep unused materials in their original containers.

•Inspect storage areas to identify points where spilled chemicals could enter the environment, such as floor drains, door ways, loading docks, catch basins, dirt or cracked floors. Avoid storing, dispensing or mixing chemicals in these areas.

•Store flammables in a location other than the building where people normally work, in a manner approved by local fire and health departments.

Usage

•Use self-closing spigots and nozzles for dis- pensing fluids from bulk containers.

•Ask employees to return empty containers, such as, spray cans before they use new supplies.

•Pour and mix chemicals in a well-ventilated area.

•Use only one spray can at a time of brake or carburetor cleaners, lubricants, grease, and sealants.

B u i l d i n g / F l o o r s

•Contract with a fire extinguisher company to test and fill extinguishers once a year.

•Remove overhead items that could cause head injuries.

•Keep floors as dry as possible to prevent falls and potential electrical hazards.

•Use non-hazardous cleaning materials.

•Contract with a waste removal company to empty oil/water separators or tanks at least once a year.

•Seal floor drains, if approved by local authorities.

•Use magnetic covers for drains or dry wells.

O u t s i d e o f B u i l d i n g

•Ensure that catch basins have oil separators

•Keep catch basin sumps empty and clean.

•Keep wells locked and sealed.

S E C T I O N B :

A u t o S h o p O p e r a t i o n s -

Routine Car Maintenace

Reducing Spills

•Build berms to contain 110% of the vol- ume of the largest container or tank in the storage area.

•Prevent waste oil spills by using drip pans. Place oily parts in the drip pan rather than on the floor.

•Use a resealable funnel to minimize spills from drip pans.

Cleaning Up Spills

•If you do spill waste oil, use dry cleanup methods such as reusable absorbent pads, mops that absorb only oily liquids, or a bristle broom and dustpan. Drain excess oil into drip pans and then into a waste oil drum or tank.

•After using dry cleanup methods, remove any remaining waste oil with rags.

•Use clay absorbents or sawdust only as

a last resort. Check with your state environmental agency to find out how to properly dispose or recycle used absorbents.

Solvent Parts Cleaning

•Use aqueous cleaners instead of solvents.

•To avoid drips, position the parts cleaner close to the work station.

•Wear gloves and eye protection when handling solvents.

•Use a wire brush for cleaning before using solvents.

•For very dirty parts, use a pre-wash of used cleaner or wipe with old solvent.

•Remove cleaned parts slowly and allow them to drain over the sink.

B r a k e G r i n d i n g

•Capture metal filings in a bin under the brake grinder and dispose in trash.

Radiator Flushing and Repair

•Reclaim antifreeze on-site.

•Never mix used antifreeze with used oil.

Batteries / Tires / Scrap Metal Parts

•When recharging batteries on-site, store bulk acid in wooden or plastic cabinets.

•Recycle batteries, tires, and scrap metal parts.

•Store batteries inside the shop.

F O R

A d d i t i o n a l I n f o r m a t i o n -

L o c a l R e s o u r c e s

Contact your local Fire Department, Board of Health, Building Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer, or Local Emergency Planning Committee.

S t a t e R e s o u r c e s

Each state provides free, confidential techni- cal assistance for preventing pollution and meeting waste management and health & safety requirements.

Connecticut

Department of Environmental Protection

Hazardous Waste

Compliance Assistance 860-424-4193

Office of Pollution

Prevention860-424-3022

Small Business

Assistance Program 860-424-3382

State Fire Marshals Office 860-685-8350

OSHA Consultation Program 860-566-4550

Maine

Department of Environmental Protection

Massachusetts

Department of Environmental Protection

Vermont

Department of Environmental Conservation

F e d e r a l R e s o u r c e s

For additional copies of this checklist call 800-go-NEEAT.