Fears & Oh S*** Moments 02/17/2022

We all know Mechanics are essential throughout the world and at times like this I've found myself even more thinking about just how dangerous their jobs are.

Now before you get all keyboard happy let me explain our mechanics have to get in & out of vehicles on a daily basis working on all sorts of vehicles so they are also exposed to almost everything, and anything from the flu or common cold, and other illnesses to needles, and all sorts of drugs & Drug Paraphernalia. I'm not trying to scare anyone from being with a mechanic or to get them to convince there mechanic that they need to find a different job that's not the case. with any job there will always be some risks and some of those risks will be higher than others. and it's ok just talk the fears out with them and have a plan ready incase something should happen.

Note: Some shops have plans set incase something should happen but it's nice to have a plan set for at home especially if you have little kids like we do. 

My Mechanic and I have several plans in motion just to be safe. I'll gladly share them with you to give you ideas.

1.Illness - we bought 91% rubbing alcohol he sprays his clothes with that before getting into our personal car and Will spray the inside of the car before getting in just incase he went somewhere for lunch and didn't have time to spray, when he get home he takes his work clothes off and puts them in the hamper and gets in the shower 

Note: the 91% alcohol is just as strong as the sterilizing sprays and cleaners hospitals use. (This has been confirmed by doctors & Hospitals)

2. Needles - When getting into a vehicle my mechanic will glance around the seat & gear shifter if there is any needles  around those areas without the protective cover on it he will get his boss and they will ask the customer to move the needles thankfully so far in all of 10 years he has not had to do that. If he were to be stabbed with a needle, obviously  tell the boss the go straight to the emergency room and have work call me asap.

3. Drugs & paraphernalia - If he sees anything out in the open and in his way he will get his boss and they just ask the customer to relocate them so my mechanic doesn't get hurt. If something were to happen he's to go straight  to the ER

Note: It's better to have documentation for the insurance company, workman's comp if needed and If he was to be treated by another doctor you have everything they would possibly need and always make copies never give work or anyone the original documents. 

In my household we go by "It's better to be safe than sorry" which living that way when it comes to health has saved us a bunch of times especially with our little guy.

Note: What works for my family & household might not work for Yall but that's ok its just a few things this mechanics wife always has running through her mind.  

*Now that we got the risks of exposure out of the way Let's talk about the possibility of the equipment unexpectedly breaking apart and hurting our techs.

This one is pretty recent for my mechanic so lately I dread when my phone rings.

Last week my mechanic was raising the lift to do an oil change/ oil filter and do the basic look over while the oil was draining he walked all the way to the end of the vehicle with flashlight in hand and was on his way back up to the front looking over everything again( we all know different angles show different things) as he was standing by the front tires a line blew on the lift and my husband took off to get out from underneath  he has fast reflexes( but the fear of being crushed to death is very real) anyways the line that blew almost smacked him in the face thankfully it was just an airline with 150psi and not the hydraulic line for the lift. 

the list of many other risks of equipment breaking is endless, and I would be typing for a year. lol just know the fears your having your not alone. 

Like I said before there will always be risks at any job but ask your mechanic how often they check their airlines and other equipment in between inspections. You will be surprised at there answer I know I was at the beginning.