Operating an auto garage carries a lot of risk, and while we’re sure you’re aware of everything there is to know about safety, we want you to take the time to ensure your fire safety practices are up to the highest standard. Fires can break out in any type of business, regardless of the profession, but especially in auto shops. If you’re not careful, you may be looking at a claim on your auto repair shop insurance.

Since your auto shop is dealing with a variety of electrical equipment, the chance for a fire is significant and should be addressed. Here is a general fire safety checklist for your company and employees to follow:

Exterior:

• First, the exterior of your building should have its address prominently displayed so the fire department can better locate your business if they are called upon.

• Check your business’ proximity to fire hydrants; this will be important for the fire department to know if they need to use them.

Fire Suppression Equipment:

• Your fire extinguishers should always be fully charged and easily accessible if there’s ever a sudden fire. If you have them in hard to reach places then employees will have a hard time locating them immediately and as quickly as possible. The location of each one is crucial, and there should be a variety of them scattered throughout your business. Additionally, extinguishers should be inspected annually to make sure they are still in working order and are in optimum condition.

• If your auto garage has a sprinkler system, make sure no objects are obstructing it from doing its job. Also, make sure important items are within the radius of the sprinkler system so if they ever catch on fire, they are protected.

Fire Alarms:

• By law, all businesses in Massachusetts are required to have fire or smoke alarms on their premises, so it’s important to check them on a regular basis to make sure they are in working order. Usually, a fire alarm will beep when it needs a new battery, but you should check them periodically regardless.

Exits, walkways and aisles:

• Paths to fire control equipment (extinguishers, fire alarm control center) should be unobstructed for easy use.

• Your company should have fire exits and they should always be unlocked and not sealed with a padlock or any other locking mechanism.

Your auto garage’s fire safety protocol is important to not only your employees, but your customers as well. If you have more questions about fire safety or general auto shop safety, give us a call today.

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It’s time to get serious. As the owner and operator of an auto repair shop in Massachusetts, much of the decisions concerning safety primarily involve you and your influence. Safety is an extremely important component to any auto shop and yours is no different. If you want to get the most out of your auto repair shop and keep things on an even keel, we recommend following some of the standard safety procedures listed below. Ideally, these should be posted somewhere visible within your shop.

• Flammable and hazardous liquids are stores in containers that are approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation or by the State Fire Marshall.
• Lids are tight-fitting and sealed.
• Containers and tanks are labeled with the name of the material they hold and the type of hazard they present.
• Flammables are stored in an area approved by the local fire department. Examples include air tight cabinets or flammable storage room.
• Waste storage area is labeled and limits of area are marked.
• Flammable liquids are grounded and bonded during transfer and grounded during storage.
• There are no leaks or excessive spillage in chemical or waste storage areas, including around solvent sinks, pumps, pipes, hoses, couplings, fittings and valves.
• Drums of materials and wastes stored outside of the building have secondary containment.

Handling and disposing hazardous materials is part of successfully managing an auto shop up to the correct safety standards. Wolpert Insurance & Risk Management understands that things can happen that may cause damage to your building or employees, which is why we offer garage insurance for protection. We hope that you follow the tips above to make sure that you’re correctly handling materials in a safe manner.

It’s time to get serious. As the owner and operator of an auto repair shop in Massachusetts, much of the decisions concerning safety primarily involve you and your influence. Safety is an extremely important component to any auto shop and yours is no different. If you want to get the most out of your auto repair shop and keep things on an even keel, we recommend following some of the standard safety procedures listed below. Ideally, these should be posted somewhere visible within your shop.
• Flammable and hazardous liquids are stores in containers that are approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation or by the State Fire Marshall.
• Lids are tight-fitting and sealed.
• Containers and tanks are labeled with the name of the material they hold and the type of hazard they present.
• Flammables are stored in an area approved by the local fire department. Examples include air tight cabinets or flammable storage room.
• Waste storage area is labeled and limits of area are marked.
• Flammable liquids are grounded and bonded during transfer and grounded during storage.
• There are no leaks or excessive spillage in chemical or waste storage areas, including around solvent sinks, pumps, pipes, hoses, couplings, fittings and valves.
• Drums of materials and wastes stored outside of the building have secondary containment.

Handling and disposing hazardous materials is part of successfully managing an auto shop up to the correct safety standards. Wolpert Insurance & Risk Management understands that things can happen that may cause damage to your building or employees, which is why we offer garage insurance for protection. We hope that you follow the tips above to make sure that you’re correctly handling materials in a safe manner.

Working in an auto garage means that employees may be constantly exposed to certain chemicals relating to the certain elements that exist in an auto garage. Specifically speaking, if your auto shop deals with spray painting vehicles, employees may be prone to more than just getting paint on their clothes. Chemicals found in spray paint, called isocyanates, are a powerful irritant that can cause damage to eyes and respiratory organs and may lead to claims on your company’s garage insurance. Direct skin contact with this chemical may also cause inflammation. Here are some of the health effects of working with isocyanates:

Sensitization and Asthma: Isocyanates can sensitize workers, making them subject to severe asthma attacks if they’re exposed more frequently.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: Workers exposed to isocyanates often develop symptoms related to hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Symptoms are often flu-like, including fever, muscle aches, and headaches. Difficulty breathing may also occur.

Cancer: According to data from a recent study, courtesy of OSHA, cancer is associated with exposure to commercial grade isocyanates.

The following is a case study relating to an employee who spray painted cars:

A 37 year old male was admitted to the hospital with asthma symptoms. After working in the same environment for 20 years, the car painter was diagnosed with asthma as the result of inhaling isocyanates and was advised to switch jobs. He continued to spray paint cars, and ended up experiencing a severe asthma attack that require emergency transport to the hospital. Doctors concluded the attack was the result of continuing exposure to isocyanates.

As the owner of an auto shop, it’s important that you’re making sure your employees are staying safe when it comes to spray painting vehicles. Using masks to cover eyes and mouths is a good way to keep the risks at bay, and make sure your ventilation system is also working properly.

At Wolpert Insurance & Risk Management, we hope our clients are getting educated on the certain risks their businesses face. For more information, please give us a call today!

Working in an auto garage means that employees may be constantly exposed to certain chemicals relating to the certain elements that exist in an auto garage. Specifically speaking, if your auto shop deals with spray painting vehicles, employees may be prone to more than just getting paint on their clothes. Chemicals found in spray paint, called isocyanates, are a powerful irritant that can cause damage to eyes and respiratory organs and may lead to claims on your company’s garage insurance. Direct skin contact with this chemical may also cause inflammation. Here are some of the health effects of working with isocyanates:

Sensitization and Asthma: Isocyanates can sensitize workers, making them subject to severe asthma attacks if they’re exposed more frequently.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: Workers exposed to isocyanates often develop symptoms related to hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Symptoms are often flu-like, including fever, muscle aches, and headaches. Difficulty breathing may also occur.
Cancer: According to data from a recent study, courtesy of OSHA, cancer is associated with exposure to commercial grade isocyanates.

The following is a case study relating to an employee who spray painted cars:

A 37 year old male was admitted to the hospital with asthma symptoms. After working in the same environment for 20 years, the car painter was diagnosed with asthma as the result of inhaling isocyanates and was advised to switch jobs. He continued to spray paint cars, and ended up experiencing a severe asthma attack that require emergency transport to the hospital. Doctors concluded the attack was the result of continuing exposure to isocyanates.

As the owner of an auto shop, it’s important that you’re making sure your employees are staying safe when it comes to spray painting vehicles. Using masks to cover eyes and mouths is a good way to keep the risks at bay, and make sure your ventilation system is also working properly.

At Wolpert Insurance & Risk Management, we hope our clients are getting educated on the certain risks their businesses face. For more information, please give us a call today!

Owning an auto repair shop requires you to be on your feet at all times in regards to proper management and safety surrounding your business. Since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration acts as a governing body of all physical laborers, you may want to keep their guidelines in mind and how they affect your business operations or auto garage insurance. Here is a list of the same standard OSHA regulations concerning auto repair shops:

Spray Finishing

OSHA regulations say that spraying operations should have spray booths that direct fumes toward an exhaust or ventilation system. Spray booths should be built mostly out of steel or concrete, although for low-volume operations aluminum, spray booths are sufficient. Employers should provide chemical labors and warnings, training on how to safely use workplace chemicals and safety data sheets for employees.

Personal Protection Equipment

OSHA regulations say that workers should always use protective equipment to avoid any health and safety risks from chemicals and machines that could cause injury. As an employer, it’s important that you assess workplace hazards and decide whether or not employees need to use protective equipment, depending on the task. In the auto repair industry, workers may need respirators to avoid toxic fumes and flame-resistant clothing, gloves or boots to protect themselves.

Chemical Hazards

Auto mechanics use many hazardous chemicals, including fuels, paints, solvents and oils. OSHA regulations require chemical manufacturers to assess and communicate hazards to their buyers.  Employers must let workers know about the risks of using chemicals. Employers should provide warnings and training on how to safely use workplace chemicals.

Fire extinguishers

Employers of workplaces without specific fire alarm and evacuation procedures must install fire extinguishers in the workplace, according to OSHA. All employees must have easy access to fire extinguishers while making sure they are mounted in a safe place. Employers must maintain fire extinguishers in working condition and keep them closest to the places in which a fire would most likely occur.

At Wolpert Insurance & Risk Management, it’s our job to help auto garages avoid any issues that could damage their business down the line. For more information, we ask you to contact us today with all of your questions.

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Owning an auto repair shop requires you to be on your feet at all times in regards to proper management and safety surrounding your business. Since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration acts as a governing body of all physical laborers, you may want to keep their guidelines in mind and how they affect your business operations or auto garage insurance. Here is a list of the same standard regulations concerning auto repair shops:

Spray Finishing

OSHA regulations say that spraying operations should have spray booths that direct fumes toward an exhaust or ventilation system. Spray booths should be built mostly out of steel or concrete, although for low-volume operations aluminum, spray booths are sufficient. Employers should provide chemical labors and warnings, training on how to safely use workplace chemicals and safety data sheets for employees.

Personal Protection Equipment

OSHA regulations say that workers should always use protective equipment to avoid any health and safety risks from chemicals and machines that could cause injury. As an employer, it’s important that you assess workplace hazards and decide whether or not employees need to use protective equipment, depending on the task. In the auto repair industry, workers may need respirators to avoid toxic fumes and flame-resistant clothing, gloves or boots to protect themselves.

Chemical Hazards

Auto mechanics use many hazardous chemicals, including fuels, paints, solvents and oils. OSHA regulations require chemical manufacturers to assess and communicate hazards to their buyers. Employers must let workers know about the risks of using chemicals. Employers should provide warnings and training on how to safely use workplace chemicals.

Fire extinguishers

Employers of workplaces without specific fire alarm and evacuation procedures must install fire extinguishers in the workplace, according to OSHA. All employees must have easy access to fire extinguishers while making sure they are mounted in a safe place. Employers must maintain fire extinguishers in working condition and keep them closest to the places in which a fire would most likely occur.

At Wolpert Insurance & Risk Management, it’s our job to help auto garages avoid any issues that could damage their business down the line. For more information, we ask you to contact us today with all of your questions.

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Auto garage owners like yourself must have the best coverage available, but what type of coverage should you be looking for? When it comes to garage insurance, it can be difficult to differentiate between auto gAuto garage owners like yourself must have the best coverage available, but what type of coverage should you be looking for? When it comes to garage insurance, it can be difficult to differentiate between auto garage liability and garage keeper’s insurance, so which one should your business be looking for? Let our agency break down each of them for you:

• Garage liability insurance: Garage liability insurance is purchased by someone who owns a repair shop or some type of vehicle service center. Liability insurance normally covers liability for the premises, operations and products. Normally, there are two sub-policies that fall under liability insurance: completed operations coverage and product liability. Completed operations coverage comes into play when maintenance you perform on a vehicle proves to be defective and your customer is involved in an accident or is injured as the result of your work. Product liability involves bodily injury or property damage suffered by third parties as a result of defects inherent in the products you sell to a customer.
• Garage keeper’s insurance: On the flipside, garage liability insurance does not cover customer’s cars that are left in your care, but this is where garage keeper’s insurance comes in. If you cause damage to a customer’s vehicle while it is in your possession, garage keeper’s insurance is what you will need to cover these costs.

Let’s take a look at some examples to help it sound clear:

Let’s say a customer pays your business to fix their brakes. Your employees perform the maintenance, but after the customer takes their car back they are involved in an accident because their brakes were not properly serviced. This type of situation would most likely be covered under the completed operations coverage of your garage liability because damages were caused to a third party. Another example could involve your auto shop selling windshield wipers to a customer. Soon after, the customer discovers that the windshield wipers are defective and do not work or do the job effectively. Any resulting bodily injury or property damaged suffered as a result of the wipers poor performance would fall under the product liability portion of your garage liability coverage.

Garage keeper’s insurance is a bit different. Let’s say an employee finishes a cigarette and puts the ash in a bucket in your shop without properly extinguishing it. This cigarette causes a fire in your shop an severely damages a few vehicles in your possession. Since your employee is responsible for causing the damage to your customer’s vehicles, your garage keeper’s insurance respond to these claims.

It’s necessary for your auto garage to obtain the coverage you think you need. If you take possession of a customer’s vehicle, then you may want to consider a garage keeper’s policy in order to protect you from any liability issues that may occur while it is in your possession. If you also own a service shop , then you will need garage liability insurance coverage as well..

If you are still unsure what route to take, our agency can explain everything in detail for you and assist in finding the right option for your business to pursue.
arage liability and garage keeper’s insurance, so which one should your business be looking for? Let our agency break down each of them for you:

• Garage liability insurance: Garage liability insurance is purchased by someone who owns a repair shop or some type of vehicle service center. Liability insurance normally covers liability for the premises, operations and products. Normally, there are two sub-policies that fall under liability insurance: completed operations coverage and product liability. Completed operations coverage comes into play when maintenance you perform on a vehicle proves to be defective and your customer is involved in an accident or is injured as the result of your work. Product liability involves bodily injury or property damage suffered by third parties as a result of defects inherent in the products you sell to a customer.
• Garage keeper’s insurance: On the flipside, garage liability insurance does not cover customer’s cars that are left in your care, but this is where garage keeper’s insurance comes in. If you cause damage to a customer’s vehicle while it is in your possession, garage keeper’s insurance is what you will need to cover these costs.

Let’s take a look at some examples to help it sound clear:

Let’s say a customer pays your business to fix their brakes. Your employees perform the maintenance, but after the customer takes their car back they are involved in an accident because their brakes were not properly serviced. This type of situation would most likely be covered under the completed operations coverage of your garage liability because damages were caused to a third party. Another example could involve your auto shop selling windshield wipers to a customer. Soon after, the customer discovers that the windshield wipers are defective and do not work or do the job effectively. Any resulting bodily injury or property damaged suffered as a result of the wipers poor performance would fall under the product liability portion of your garage liability coverage.

Garage keeper’s insurance is a bit different. Let’s say an employee finishes a cigarette and puts the ash in a bucket in your shop without properly extinguishing it. This cigarette causes a fire in your shop an severely damages a few vehicles in your possession. Since your employee is responsible for causing the damage to your customer’s vehicles, your garage keeper’s insurance respond to these claims.

It’s necessary for your auto garage to obtain the coverage you think you need. If you take possession of a customer’s vehicle, then you may want to consider a garage keeper’s policy in order to protect you from any liability issues that may occur while it is in your possession. If you also own a service shop , then you will need garage liability insurance coverage as well..

If you are still unsure what route to take, our agency can explain everything in detail for you and assist in finding the right option for your business to pursue.