Ensuring Risk Assessment in the Workplace of a Motor Vehicle Mechanic

The diploma thesis addressed guidelines for risk assessment in the workplace of a motor vehicle mechanic. At the beginning, the work of a motor vehicle mechanic was described. An example of regular servicing of a passenger car was presented. The results of this are better well-being of employees in the company, better work results, better performance, less sick leave and better relationships amongst employees. An important chapter for a motor vehicle mechanic is also the conduct in the event of an accident or fire at work, as the work also includes cutting with a grinder, welding of parts, working with flammable substances such as petrol, and generally hot parts of the engine and the car's exhaust system.

Problem

The diploma thesis addressed guidelines for risk assessment in the workplace of a motor vehicle mechanic. At the beginning, the work of a motor vehicle mechanic was described. An example of regular servicing of a passenger car was presented. Then the profession addressed in this diploma thesis was analysed in more detail.

This was followed by a description of the facility and the working environment. Requirements for working and auxiliary premises were stated. Furthermore, they dealt with work and personal protective equipment, then with the safety and health of workers at work, and concluded with the proper conduct of employees in the event of an accident or fire.

The chapters of the diploma thesis were supported by the legislation of the Republic of Slovenia with the aim of educating workers, but primarily employers, about an appropriate, safe and health-friendly working environment, as this contributes to greater safety and health at work. They established that with appropriate safety measures and awareness we contribute to a lower number of accidents, whilst at the same time contributing to greater final productivity, as there is consequently less sick leave as a result. Pictograms themselves, which are installed in a visible place on or near work equipment, help us a great deal.

In practice, it is shown that fewer errors and accidents occur amongst more experienced and longer-employed workers. Periodic training, which is provided by the employer and which employees are obliged to attend, certainly contributes to this. Training can be carried out by the employer if they have a competent employee for this purpose, or they can leave it to an external qualified body.

At the end follows a test of the knowledge acquired from previous lectures. Employees acquire knowledge about the correct approach in the event of an accident or fire, which contributes to more efficient and faster action in the event of such a situation. In the personal protective equipment of a motor vehicle mechanic, current standards for work shoes, gloves, work clothing, personal protective equipment for eyes and face, and hearing were specifically described.

One of the final chapters is the chapter on health at work, which is becoming increasingly established in modern times. It is supported by the Occupational Safety and Health Act. In well-established companies, great emphasis is also placed on health promotion in the workplace – socialising of employees outside working hours, improvement of the working environment, choice of a healthy lifestyle, or reduction of pressure from superiors on the employee.

This is positive in several areas of employee health, most notably in the physical and psychological sense.

Results

The results of this are better well-being of employees in the company, better work results, better performance, less sick leave and better relationships amongst employees. An important chapter for a motor vehicle mechanic is also the conduct in the event of an accident or fire at work, as the work also includes cutting with a grinder, welding of parts, working with flammable substances such as petrol, and generally hot parts of the engine and the car's exhaust system. For this very reason, it is described how to act in the event of a fire, where the fire extinguishers are, where the evacuation routes are and how they are marked, what the fire regulations look like and what they contain.

The table also explains what type of extinguishing agent we must use to extinguish different types of fires. The fact that we extinguish with the correct extinguishing agent is of key importance, as otherwise we can only worsen the situation or endanger ourselves. Through the preparation of the diploma thesis, they acquired broader knowledge in the field of ensuring safety and health at work.

They became acquainted with the key elements in individual areas relating to the work performed by a motor vehicle mechanic. The workplace in question can be threatened by numerous hazards, whereby they strived to eliminate them or at least mitigate them. The work is very specific and by no means monotonous, and the consequences of this are that in the absence of knowledge and experience, quite a few errors can occur which contribute to the endangerment of the health and safety of employees.

They came to the conclusion that Slovenia has appropriate legislation which should enable employees to have a safer workplace. However, little relevant literature is available for the profession of motor vehicle mechanic due to the specific field. The work is constantly changing and depends on each individual car, the number of kilometres driven, the method of work, the requirements of the employer, the manufacturer or the customer themselves.

By being able to supplement their assertions with individual articles of laws, it was shown that every single area strives for safer operation of the process and at the same time reduces potential risks that may arise from incorrect or negligent conduct of those responsible and their subordinates.