Episode Description

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Wrench, we are joined by Charlie Ayers, President, Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR). Jay and Charlie discuss how shops can understand and not fear OSHA, the importance of safety training, and best practices for shop safety.

Watch the Full Episode

Understanding, and Not Fearing OSHA

  • It’s important to try and respect OSHA, and not fear it. They can make a shop very uncomfortable with penalties and other citations, but they do a lot of things proactively to help keep shops safe.
  • No one would willingly put someone in an unsafe environment. Oftentimes, you don’t know what you don’t know.
  • Don’t be afraid to invite an OSHA rep to come into the shop and point out areas of concern. At the end of the day, OSHA is there to help.
  • Even with the advancement in technology, the rules of OSHA are not changing too frequently and rapidly. The biggest changes are around OSHA’s penalties.
  • The number one reason OSHA is going to visit a shop is because of a disgruntled ex-employee.
  • If a technician breaks a bone, it can be repaired with a cast. If they get an eye injury, that may not be reversible. Shops have to make safety a top priority for their technicians.

Best Practices for Shop Safety

  • As a leader, it is crucial to lead by example. Managers shouldn’t ask technicians to do something they would not do. Wear the safety glasses, and follow the safety guidelines in the shop.
  • The number one thing a shop owner needs to do is documentation. Document everything; safety guidelines, training, facility updates, etc.
  • When shop owners/managers prioritize safety and encourage safety guidelines, it shows technicians they care about them.

Show Notes

Resources:

Learn more about WrenchWay Top Shops

Complimentary OSHA courses

Download the free WrenchWay app in the App Store or on Google Play:

About Our Host:

Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:

Charlie Ayers
President, Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR)
cea@ccar-greenlink.org

Sponsor:

RepairSmith is the most convenient way to get your car repaired. Their certified mobile mechanics come to your home or office to complete your repair. They make the process easy from start to finish by offering upfront pricing, online booking, after-hours support, and a full warranty.

Follow the Beyond the Wrench Podcast

Don’t miss a single episode — follow to the Beyond the Wrench podcast! The Beyond the Wrench podcast is available on:

  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Google Podcasts
  • Amazon Music
  • Stitcher
  • iHeart Radio
  • Pandora
  • TuneIn + Alexa
  • And more!