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What should I do when servicing or repairing a radiator?
What should I know when servicing brakes and clutches?
Are there safety tips to know when greasing a vehicle?
What should I do when servicing or repairing a radiator? - Allow the radiator to cool before inspecting.
- Cover the radiator cap with a heavy cloth material or cap remover. Do not use paper towels.
- Stand back at arm's length when removing the cap. Keep others away. If the radiator cap does not have a pressure-relief lever, first tighten the cap and then loosen it a half turn to the first notch. If it is equipped with a pressure-relief lever, lift the lever into the open position.
- Remember that all pressure may not have escaped -- the cap gasket may be stuck to the radiator neck.
- Do not put your face directly over the radiator once the cap has been removed. Coolant may erupt unexpectedly.
- Check the hoses for leaks.
- Tighten the hose clamps if the hoses feel damp at either end of the hose.
- Replace the hoses if there are cracks, tears or other signs of wear or if they feel brittle when you squeeze them.
- Drain the radiator fluid in an appropriate container if the radiator has to be removed for repair.
- Dispose of the radiator fluid in accordance with local environmental agency requirements.
- If the radiator is cleaned by dipping it in a caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) solution, ensure that you know the hazards of working with caustic materials, how to work safely with them, and what to do in case it splashes on you or it spills. Information on caustic materials and sodium hydroxide is available elsewhere in OSH Answers.
- Dispose of the tank solutions, tank sludge, and rinse solutions in accordance with local environmental requirements. The solutions will contain lead and the sludge will contain zinc, copper, and lead.
- Know and understand the hazards of exposure to lead in solder and how to work with it safely.
- If soldering is carried out to repair radiators, soldering operations should be done in well ventilated and maintained enclosures, ventilated exhaust hoods or ventilated booths.
- Wear a respirator that is approved for use as protection from exposure to lead when soldering, or grinding or buffing soldered surfaces if ventilation is not available or is not functioning. (More information is available in the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Section of OSH Answers about selecting and caring for respirators and dust masks.)
- Use good housekeeping methods for keeping surfaces free of lead. Use a wet mop or vacuum equipped with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to clean floors and other surfaces. Do not use a dry broom or compressed air for cleaning up lead dust - they will cause the lead dust to become airborne.
- Follow good hygiene practices. Wash your hands and face after soldering, grinding or buffing operations and before eating, drinking, or smoking to prevent accidental ingestion of lead.
- Employees should be provided with coveralls or similar full-body clothing and disposable or washable caps. Work clothing should be stored in a different place than street clothes to prevent contamination. Work clothing should be put in plastic bags and sent to a laundry for cleaning. The bags should be tagged as "clothing contaminated with lead" and the work clothes should be washed separately from other clothing.
What should I know when servicing brakes and clutches? - Clean and service brakes in a separate work area.
- Use approved respiratory protection when necessary.
- Remove dust with a vacuum equipped with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
- Wet assembly down with low pressure water or gentle spray when a vacuum cleaner is not available. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
- Collect the washings and dust on floors and around equipment using a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter or wet sweeping for proper disposal.
- Do not use compressed air or dry brush to clean brakes. Do not bang the drum to remove dust.
Are there safety tips to know when greasing a vehicle? - Fasten all connections securely.
- Keep safety sleeves and grease nozzles free of dirt.
- Replace damaged nozzles before starting work.
- Check that the lubricating gun starting mechanism does not activate until the nozzle is set firmly against the fitting.
- Test the equipment by placing the open end of the nozzle into a waste container before operating the starting mechanism.
- Stand clear of lubricant spray.
- Use a cloth to catch excess grease and wipe up drippings immediately.
- Clean up spills and cover them with an absorbent compound.
- Inspect equipment weekly and repair defects.
- Do not heat the grease fittings to make them accept the grease - replace the fitting instead.
- Do not use a grease gun with an unshrouded nozzle.
- Do not place a grease gun nozzle against any part of your body.
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Document last updated on May 28, 2001
Copyright ©1997-2008 Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
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