10 Tips for Auto Workshop
The workshop is a workspace where spare parts, tools, equipment and residual products coexist, as well as many other elements. Therefore, it is important to maintain order and cleanliness. This aspect helps in organizing and equipping the workshop and increases the safety and confidence of the client who visits the establishment.
10 tips for maintaining order in the workshop
- Keeping a clean workplace is a principle that determines the order and uninterrupted operation of the workshop. Not only should you pay attention to cleaning surfaces (floors and equipment), but also, just as importantly, cleaning tools to optimize their performance and extend their life. Both operations must be carried out daily to avoid the accumulation of dirt, dust, grease or chips.
- To organize the workflow, it is important to choose a location for each tool. The organization mode should be reasonable, functional and should adapt to the daily work in the workshop.
Storage locations should be optimized and convenient, but should not carry the risk of running out of space, as this can lead to confusion. In addition, storage areas in passage areas should be avoided to avoid collisions among workers.
- After each operation in the workshop, it is necessary to clean and collect all tools and materials. If they cannot be moved, it is important to have space to store these elements (cages or boxes) in order to avoid rework or damage, and thus contribute to the order in the workshop.
- Keeping tools and equipment in working order prevents errors in work and confusion that lead to a halt in the production process.
For this reason, it is very important to carry out maintenance, preventive and corrective measures with equipment in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer and do not forget that, if necessary, such operations should be carried out by specialized, certified personnel.
- In connection with the previous paragraph, a technical inspection and a report to the manager on malfunction or damage to tools.
- For safety reasons, it is important to keep the staircases and passageways always clean, free of obstructions and properly marked. In addition, it is impossible to block or impede access to fire extinguishers, emergency exits, hydrants and other elements related to worker safety.
- The use of a tool trolley is very useful for the technical workshop, as it makes it easy to carry hand tools, its use prevents tools from being scattered around the workshop and being lost. Likewise, carts must have a permanent place.
- It is very important that workshops have fireproof containers that are closed and sealed, where it is possible to dispose of hazardous waste, toxic, flammable and inert, as well as rags, paper or containers contaminated with oils, greases or any other chemical substances, always separating debris depending on it. character. Containers should never be left open to avoid the risk of leakage and also to avoid unpleasant odors.
- Sometimes manufacturers of workshop tools and equipment advise storage regimes and rules. Everyone must follow the instructions of the experts to ensure the long life of each tool. For this reason, it is necessary to have the operating instructions or safety data sheets of machines and tools in an accessible place.
- As a final recommendation, it is very important to educate shop workers about the rules and the need to maintain the cleanliness and order of their workplace and rest area, as well as personal hygiene in terms of work clothes and safety items.
5S method
These ten simple tips can implement the Japanese 5S method. This management method was developed at Toyota in the 1960s with the goal of organizing the workplace efficiently and keeping it tidy and clean at all times.
It was shown that the application of these five principles that this method establishes (classification, order, cleaning, standardization and discipline), improves productivity, improves working conditions and the image of the company, which causes greater trust from customers.
