Scotty’s Safety Scoop – Shop Safety.

Hola amigos and amigas, and thanks for checking in on another safety article.  I have to start by saying thanks to all you readers for the kind words and support.  I’m still getting great ideas for articles coming daily.  I enjoy writing about the ideas you guys request, because I know at least one of you is interested in it.  I really like seeing people from other crews wearing my threads.  The shirts that FSCF.com came up with for me look awesome.  I might be a little biased, but they are the best looking shirt out there.

We’ve gone over track safety crews and even how to be safer at the track ourselves.  This article is going to cover safety at the race shop.  This area is often overlooked, but speaking for myself, I get hurt at the shop more than anywhere else.  If you don’t think bad things can happen at the shop just think a couple of weeks back to the Jesse Hockett tragedy.  He died while loading his rig for Indiana dirt week.  Something as simple as that turned into a tragedy for such a young upcoming racer.

The biggest cause of injuries at the shop (at least mine) comes from rushing.  There is a huge amount of work to do on these cars between races.  With work, kids, and just life in general time is very limited.  As a racer I’ve found that doing things quickly lets you get more done in the time you’ve got available.  I’ve also found that this causes more potential for injury.  I know it’s easy for me to say slow down while writing an article, but it will help you.  When you’re not in a rush you tend to also do better quality work and be aware of the potential dangers around you.

Hopefully, at your shop you already have a first aid kit on hand.  If not, you can get a nice one for about thirty bucks that will help with most injuries at the shop.  The most common injuries at the shop are cuts, burns, crushing injuries, and even electrocutions.  I’ve said it in past articles, but you know if you work on these things long enough you’re going to get cut.  We’ve also talked about how attractive duct tape is on these, but remember to make sure you get them cleaned and bandaged quickly to prevent infection.  Simple hydrogen peroxide is the best thing to clean cuts with.  If the cut is deep, you need to get stitches.  You have to get them within a few hours of the injury or else they won’t be able to use them.  Without stitches the wound probably will take twice as long to heal, and will leave a nasty scar.

Burns are an easy fix.  Simply soak with cool water for five to ten minutes, and apply burn cream or spray to help with the stinging.  If it is deep go to the doctor and get it looked at.

One of the most serious injuries mentioned is a crushing injury.  These can be as simple as pinching your finger in something, to as serious as the car falling on you.  For some reason, I can’t put an engine in a sprint car without pinching my fingers at least once.  The best thing for this is a simple ice pack.  Keep ice on the area for twenty minutes, and then let it set for twenty minutes.  After about five cycles of this the pain should get better.  If in a few hours it still hurts, switch to heat in the same routine.  The heat will help relieve the swelling.  If something more serious happens, like the car falls on your foot or hand, definitely apply ice as soon as possible.  This helps reduce swelling, bruising, and numbs the pain a bit.  If it is that serious please go to the ER for an x-ray.  Bones in your hands and feet are easily broken.  I know nobody likes to go to the hospital, but if you have a broken bone and it doesn’t get set properly, it will be screwed up for life.

The least common, but most dangerous injuries are electrocutions.  This can happen by using bad electric cords or power tools that are not connected to a GFI receptacle.  In Florida we get the pleasure to do most of our outdoor activities with the rain falling on our heads.  This makes the possibility of an electrocution really high.  With all the oil and water heaters connected to the cars, it just adds to the potential for a problem.  Even newer trailers have outlets on the side of them so they can be run off shore lines while being loaded.  Remember, trailer manufacturers don’t have the same building or electric codes to follow.

If an electrocution should take place it will happen one of two ways.  Either the person will be simply “poked” and it will hurt for a while or the electricity will “grab” the person, not letting them go.  If this happens DO NOT touch the person.  Find the breaker box and kill the power source.  If you try to grab the person you will be locked on also.  If this happens, once the power is cut, call 911 immediately because basic life support might be needed.  This is not to scare you, but I want you guys to be prepared if this were to ever happen.

A good way to help prevent most of these problems is to make sure you never work alone at the shop.  Having another person there ensures both of your safety.  If anything were to go on, at least there is another person there to help watch your back.  Also make sure one of you has a cell phone or that the shop has a telephone.  This gives you the ability to get help should something arise.  Having two people also helps prevent the most common shop injury of all, “the pulled back.”  When working alone we try lifting all sorts of crap we have no business trying to lift by ourselves.  At least with another person there it helps prevent a potentially lifelong injury. (Sorry Miller Chiropractic for letting that out.)

The race shop is chock full of stuff that can hurt you.  All we can do as racers is be as prepared as possible for when it happens.  I didn’t mean to get so detailed about the possibilities, but I want you guys to be educated on this stuff to help you out.  Hopefully, it never happens to you or anyone you know, but if it does at least you have an idea about what to do.

Thanks for all the kind words and e-mails.  If you have any questions, please contact me or the website and we’ll get them answered for you.  This article is dedicated to the Hockett family.  Hopefully, with a little education we can help prevent that situation from ever happening again.  Come back again to FloridaSprintCarFans.com for all the latest racing updates and more upcoming safety articles.  Remember, FSCF.com, the safest website around.

Be Safe and Have Fun!

scotty67hotty@yahoo.com

http://www.scottademaracing.com/