// Occupations and Workplaces

Mechanic

What do mechanics do? Mechanics work in many different industries, including aviation, automotive, commercial, industrial and residential settings.

// Issues
25
// Requirements
28
// Page links
51
Contents Hand tools Portal Graph

Mechanics work in many different industries, including aviation, automotive, commercial, industrial and residential settings. Some of their main duties are to:

  • duty Install, repair and maintain mechanical systems.
  • duty Prepare cost estimates and documentation for clients.
  • duty Use, clean and maintain various equipment and machines.
  • duty Supervise apprentices or other workers.

Mechanics work in a variety of settings and may be exposed to several hazards, including:

  • chemical Exposure to chemicals, solvents, solder, and other products.
  • chemical Exposure to gasoline or diesel exhaust.
  • safety Risk of electrical shock or burns.
  • safety Fire risk from fuels and other products.
  • general Burns from battery acid, hot surfaces, exhaust, etc.
  • safety Potentially working in confined spaces.
  • physical Welding hazards, including UV radiation.
  • general Working with compressed air.
  • general Working near rotating parts (being caught in or between).
  • general Working with explosive items, such as airbags.
  • general Bursting of tires while repairing or installing.
  • physical Extreme temperatures.
  • ergonomic Risk of pain or injury from awkward positions, repetitive manual tasks, or lifting heavy objects.
  • safety Risk of falling objects (including the vehicle) when working under vehicles, or with jacks, hoists, or hydraulic lifts.
  • safety Possibility of working at heights.
  • safety Risk of eye injury from flying particles.
  • general Risk of hand injuries.
  • safety Slips, trips and falls.
  • general Working with various hand tools, power tools and equipment.
  • psychosocial Stress.
  • psychosocial Shift work or extended work days.
  • psychosocial Working alone.
  • chemical Possible exposure to asbestos.
  • physical Exposure to noise.
  • general Dealing with hostile customers.

Please also see the series of OSH Answers fact sheets on how to work safely in a garage, which includes autobody repair, batteries, fuel safety, hydraulic lifts, inflating tires, servicing vehicles and other topics.

  • requirement Keep tools and equipment in good working order.
  • requirement Work safely with chemicals and related products.
  • ppe Use appropriate personal protective equipment for the task, including footwear.
  • requirement Keep work areas clear of clutter and equipment.
  • requirement Avoid awkward positions, and repetitive tasks, or take frequent breaks.
  • requirement Learn safe lifting techniques.
  • requirement Follow a recommended shift work pattern and know the associated hazards.
  • administrative Inspect the work area before work starts to identify potential hazards and their controls.
  • administrative Follow workplace policies and procedures relating to preventing workplace violence and harassment
  • requirement Working in a Garage
  • requirement Electrical safety
  • requirement Lock-out/tag-out
  • requirement Confined spaces entry
  • requirement Working at heights
  • requirement Working with ladders
  • requirement Lifting
  • requirement Working with hand tools and power tools
  • requirement Fire safety
  • requirement Welding and Hot Work
  • administrative Follow correct procedures for:
  • ppe Use, maintain and store personal protective equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations.
  • requirement Learn about chemical hazards, WHMIS and SDSs.
  • requirement Know general first aid and first aid for chemical exposures.
  • requirement Install and maintain eyewash stations where appropriate.
  • administrative Know how to report a hazard.
  • administrative Follow good housekeeping procedures.
  • requirement Follow company safety rules.
  • requirement Fact sheet first published: 2017-09-14

// Hand tools

  1. 1 Clamps
  2. 2 Cutting Tools for Bolts, Cables, and Strapping
  3. 3 Gear Pullers
  4. 4 General Hand Tool Operation
  5. 5 Hammers
  6. 6 Hand Saw
  7. 7 Non-sparking tools
  8. 8 Pipe Tools - Wrenches, Cutters, Reamers, and Threaders
  9. 9 Pliers and Wire Cutters
  10. 10 Screwdrivers
  11. 11 Snips
  12. 12 Struck Tools
  13. 13 Vises
  14. 14 Wood Chisels
  15. 15 Wrenches

// Portal

Chemicals

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Chemicals Diesel Exhaust
15 practices respiratory protection Open →
Chemicals Asbestos - What is...
0 practices Open →

// Portal

Confined Spaces

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Confined Spaces Confined Space - Introduction
17 practices Open →

// Portal

Electrical

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Electrical Electrical Safety - Basic Information
45 practices Open →

// Portal

Garages

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Garages Cleaning with Compressed Air
2 practices Open →
Garages Garages - Fuel Safety
10 practices Open →
Garages Garages - Hydraulic Lifts - General Information
30 practices Open →
Garages Garages - Working Under Vehicles
20 practices Open →

// Portal

Ladders

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Ladders Ladders - Portable
18 practices Open →

// Portal

Lifting, pushing, pulling

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Lifting, pushing, pulling MMH - Hoisting and Moving Heavy Objects
0 practices Open →

// Portal

Machinery

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Machinery Welding - Radiation and the Effects On Eyes and Skin
0 practices Open →

// Portal

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs)
9 practices Open →

// Portal

Noise

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Noise Noise - Basic Information
4 practices Open →

// Portal

Shiftwork

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Shiftwork Extended Workday: Health and Safety Issues
10 practices Open →
Shiftwork Rotational Shiftwork
0 practices Open →

// Portal

Stress

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Stress Workplace Stress – General
0 practices Open →

// Portal

Violence / Bullying

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Violence / Bullying Violence and Harassment in the Workplace - Dealing with Negative Interactions
25 practices Open →
Violence / Bullying Working Alone - General
0 practices Open →

// Portal

WHMIS/GHS/SDS

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

WHMIS/GHS/SDS WHMIS - Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
0 practices Open →
Mechanic
HAS_ISSUE 25
HAS_REQUIREMENT 28
LINKS_TO 51
SOURCE_PAGE 1

0 broken or blocked links · 9 links resolved to a newer URL.

Fact sheets 34

PDFs 1

Section indexes 16