Common Workplace Injuries Suffered by Mechanics (& Tips to Prevent Them) (2024)

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Common Workplace Injuries Suffered by Mechanics (& Tips to Prevent Them)? ›

Common injuries for mechanics include sprains, strains, tears, chemical burns, eye injuries, loss of limbs/digits, and falls.

Common injuries for mechanics include sprains, strains, tears, chemical burns, eye injuries, loss of limbs/digits, and falls.

1. Burns in the Auto Shop and Around Vehicles. Auto shop workers are at risk of burns from hot engines, exhaust pipes, welding equipment, and much more. According to OSHA, burns are one of the most common injuries in auto shops, and it's easy to see why when you realize how hot vehicles can get.

Sprains, strains and tears.

These are the leading injuries sustained by auto mechanics and auto technicians. Repetitive motions while working under the chassis or hood can increase the likelihood of a sprain or strain. Lifting and lowering machinery and heavy tools can also contribute to these types of injuries.

The most common mechanical equipment injuries are to hands and fingers, which may be cut, sprained, dislocated, broken, crushed or cut off by machinery or tools. Eye injuries can be caused by heat or radiation or by objects thrown from moving mechanical parts.

Mechanism of injury (MOI) is the force or forces that cause injury when applied to the human body. Forces have characteristics such as speed, size and direction.

But the reality is, close to 90 percent of all workplace injuries are caused by the worker's own unsafe actions. Although injuries are physical and visceral, they're more often rooted in something that's much less visible—a worker's attitude or state of mind.

Depending on your work, you may need to pay extra attention to: ergonomics; appropriate staffing to avoid over-exertion; ladder safety; eye safety; ventilation; breaks; hearing protection, body mechanics or work site safety, just to name a few.

What do mechanics struggle with? ›

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Poor body mechanics are often the cause of back problems. When we don't move correctly and safely, the spine is subjected to abnormal stresses that over time can lead to degeneration of spinal structures like discs and joints, injury, and unnecessary wear and tear.

One of the most common injuries caused by working with machines unsafely is lacerations. When individuals operate machines without adhering to safety protocols and procedures, they are at a heightened risk of accidents that can result in severe cuts or lacerations to various parts of their bodies.

The Most Common Accident: Falls

Tripping over an open desk or file drawer, electrical cords or wires, loose carpeting, or objects in hallways/walkways. Bending or reaching for something while seated in an unstable chair. Using a chair in place of a ladder. Slipping on wet floors.

Slips and trips are the most common accidents in most workplaces. They are caused by flooring and lighting issues such as dim lighting and slippery floors. They can cause severe physical impacts such as fractures.

Common Auto Mechanics Work Injuries

Trauma Caused by Heavy Objects – The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that being struck by or against a heavy object or begin caught between equipment is the leading cause of injury and death in the automotive industry.

Being a mechanic can hurt your body because you work with heavy objects most of the time. Lifting heavy objects might overstretch a muscle or tendon. In worst case scenarios, it can even tear them. This happens due to overuse, fatigue, or improper lifting technique.

Mechanics who are exposed to hazardous substances, such as asbestos or lead, are at a higher risk of developing health problems. Additionally, mechanics who work in a poorly ventilated or cramped environment may be at higher risk of developing respiratory problems, such as asthma or lung cancer.