Be safe out there, A rather somber and sobering experience Options

[mitchntx]

The local Goodyear tire center mounts and balances my tires for me for nothing, usually. The owner is a very nice person and a gear head deluxe.

I stop in Tuesday afternoon to get all my 11" rims and tires seperated. I drop them off and come back in a few days to pick the stuff up. It's why I get it for free, usually, because they work them in as they have the time.

I go back yesterday morning and the tires are all still mounted. NBD, but I sak the shop foremen if they had been busy.

He explains that on Wednesday, one of the guys in the shop was under a motorhome, trying to beat one of the inner wheels off of a rusted hub when home rolled forward, fell on him and killed him.

The wheel chocks were right there, but he chose not to use them.

As we all are thrashing, trying to get a long list of things done, don't cut any corners.
Do things right the first time.

Be safe out there.

[Teutonic Speedra...]

That's terrible. Hopefully an eye-opener for some of the less safe ones out there.

[PF Flyer]

... we all need to be reminded of shop safety from time to time, unfortunately it's usually at someones expense.

I can relate to on the job safety. I almost lost my life at the hands of another in an occupational accident. As it is I have a permanent disability.

My condolences to the shop, as I know it'll be a lot different around there from now on.

[timyerby]

I can relate as well, and thanks for the reminder.

A few years ago I went out one morning to change the ds u-joint in my p/u (rear one) as it was making a lot of noise and I knew it wasn't going to be long for this world.

As my truck is a 4x4, I did not need to jack it up to get under it, so I just got my tools, slid under, and got to work. I took the bolts out of the u-joint caps and took them off no problem, but the ds did not want to come out of the yoke. I got up and went back in the shop and got my long crowbar. The truck was high enough that I did not even need to get under it again to reach the joint, so I just put the crowbar in there and popped the joint loose.

What I forgot is my driveway is sloped at about a 5-10 degree angle, and I had not set the parking brake and put the trans in neutral before starting work. So the ds/trans was loaded and what was holding the truck on the hill. Once I popped it out, she started rolling down the drive.

Luckily no cars were coming as the truck crossed the street (it didn't even stop to check for traffic (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) ). I live across from a T intersection, so it rolled down the street across from my house, eventually jumped the curb, and came to rest about 2 feet from my neighbors house without hitting anything.

My adrenaline was pumping ! I jumped in the truck, threw it in 4wd, and quickly pulled it back into my drive with the ds banging the ground the whole way. After setting the parking brake I got out and calmed down.

The only damage was my tool tray which my grandfather had made by hand was crushed by my trucks tires. To this day that tool tray is stays on the creeper in my shop to remind me of the day I almost killed myself in the driveway for my wife and kids to come out to.

Safety first !!

[SuperCricket]

My pops told me a story once about him working on his old car back in the day. He was working on his car that was up on jackstands, on an asphalt driveway. It was a hot day and his mother came out to tell him his girlfriend was on the phone. He got up went to pick up the phone and heard a loud noise. The jackstands had sunk in the asphalt on one side and the entire car pancaked flat to the ground.

He ended up marrying that girl. Gotta be careful, metal is heavy.

[robz71lm7]

I've gotten into the habit of also putting a jack under my car (lightly touching the k-member) when it's on stands. That way if something slips the jack will hold it and/or give me enough time to get out of there.

I have had cars and trucks on asphalt and stands before-maybe I should stop that. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) I usually try to use the concrete in our garage but it's not always available.

[slowTA]

All I have is asphalt... and I have left jack stand indentations in it at times. Usually it happens when I lift the front of my car or any end of my dad's truck. I was able to get a couple squares of steel plate to stick under the front of my floor jack and jack stands.

It does make you think though. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[robz71lm7]

Yeah you'd probably be fine on level asphalt witrh steel plate. Sounds like a project for the welder I'm getting this xmas.

[Formula WS6]

wow that sucks. the worst thing i can think of is i was jacking my friends 84z up while he got under the rear to tighten the muffler clamp. the jack gave out just plain gave out. luckily we has under the back and it didnt fall too low, scary times. i don't get under the car without a jack and stand there.

[John_D.]

I had my old '72 Cuda up on 4 concrete blocks, on end, in the yard next to the driveway. After tugging, prying, and jerking the transmission (automatic), it wouldn't come loose. I crawled out from under the car to take a break and think. About 10 seconds later, the car lightly rocked 2 times, then all 4 blocks fell over and the car came crashing down to the ground.

Once in a while, one of these stories will come along and remind me of that. That's been 20 years ago now...

[AllZWay]

Mitch... Terrible story, but it is best for us to hear about the bad stories to remind us to think sometimes.

I remember reading about a story on CZ28.com a few years back about a guy that was working on a car without stands and was doing so on soft ground.

The jack gaveway and the rotor cut the persons head in half.

I am very cautious with jack stands and like someone mentioned earlier... I usually leave the jack under the car as added protection.

[Jeff97FST/A]

(edit)

I remember reading about a story on CZ28.com a few years back about a guy that was working on a car without stands and was doing so on soft ground.

The jack gaveway and the rotor cut the persons head in half.

I am very cautious with jack stands and like someone mentioned earlier... I usually leave the jack under the car as added protection.

Safety Stewards in New England now look for proper jacking procedures (jack stands, etc.) in paddock during autox events. Amazing how many people will crawl under a car that is only supported by a jack - some even have the jack stands on site and aren't using them!

[PF Flyer]

... as an SCCA 'Scrutineer' (tech insp), that's one of the most enforced rules at the track, specifically at the 12 Hrs at the Point enduro. Every car that comes in for a pit stop is watched closely to insure they are following all the pit rules, from fueling to jacking it up and working on it.