Auto mechanics and repair technicians are exposed to many hazards in their jobs. This includes slips and falls, particles in the eye, cuts, and burns from hot car parts. One of the most serious hazards, however, is often overlooked. This is exposure to friable asbestos from friction wear of brake pads/shoes and internal clutch parts. Aftermarket parts often manufactured overseas typically contain higher asbestos content, along with older model vehicle parts or used parts obtained from auto salvage yards.  

I’m just the owner of an auto parts store. How much risk do I really have in my business?

By their very nature, restaurants present significant exposures when it comes to potential losses. That’s why owners and operators appreciate insurance companies surveying, or inspecting, their properties to find ways to prevent losses. Here are several safety controls you should have in place to help prevent or minimize losses at your restaurant.

Co-working is the practice of sharing office space with other businesses, and it’s on the rise in the United States. Small companies use co-working as a way to keep overhead costs down. These small businesses essentially “lease” space from existing companies that have excess room. 

Storing idle pallets can create a severe fire hazard, whether inside or outside your building. Wood pallets dry out and become susceptible to easy ignition by even the smallest source.

When it comes to safety and compliance, knowing where to begin is often the biggest obstacle employers face. Between OSHA compliance, state laws, and various insurance rules and regulations, it can be a daunting task. When I visit a manufacturing shop, I want to make sure there are several key safety plans in place. If you don’t have these safety plans in place, this could be a good place for you to start. 

Several severe injuries recently occurred in metal fabrication operations and machine shops insured by West Bend. These accidents resulted from in-rolling nip points, inadequately guarded punch presses, and other improperly-guarded manufacturing machinery. These losses will significantly influence the manufacturers’ future Workers’ Compensation premiums and WC mods. What’s worse, these accidents caused extremely severe, potentially life-changing injuries to valuable employees.

If your business is an automobile, body, and paint shop; an automobile and light truck repair or service shop; or an automobile electronics and accessory installation shop, West Bend’s Auto Service Program might be right for you.

Tough winters like this one can be very hard on private passenger and light truck vehicles. Everything from batteries to coolant systems, gas lines to tires can take a beating from the extreme weather conditions. If you own an auto parts store or auto service business, you’ve probably seen an increase in the number of customers purchasing  parts or having work done on their vehicles. 

Did you know your OSHA log must be posted by February 1, 2014? OSHA 300 logs and summary pages can be confusing and time consuming if you’re not sure what to do. Here are a few helpful tips as you prepare to finalize your OSHA 300 log: