Working Inside Vehicle Cabins Hazards/Risks and Safety
Hazards/risks
Working inside the confined and awkward spaces within vehicle cabins, often for sustained periods, can result in body-stressing injuries.
These risks can be minimised or eliminated by applying practices that change the way the work is done or better support the worker and/or the tools.
Safety solutions
1. Remove seats or other items to improve access.
2. Raise vehicles on a hoist to enable easier access under the dash from a standing position.
3. Change the vehicle working angle and height by using a lifting device (e.g. hoist) to improve access to the work area.
4. Use a spacer or filler (e.g. beanbag or foam equivalent) to fill a footwell, if it improves the working position.
5. Support the tools and the worker, so that muscle effort goes into using, not holding (e.g. use lanyards, magnetic clamps).
6. Use powered tools (e.g. air operated) to reduce time spent working in constrained, awkward postures.
7. Use braces to support the load (e.g. when undoing dashes).
8. Use vacuum lifters to hold and position windscreens.
9. Ensure there is adequate lighting (e.g. lead lights).