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Autobody and Auto Repair

Mike's Autobody - Safer Alternatives for Materials and Equipment. 2016

  Auto mechanics can be exposed to lead, solvents, acids and other toxics during their work day. This case study describes work undertaken at Mike’s Auto Body to reduce these exposures by reducing their use of toxic chemicals and materials, with assistance from the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) and Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI). In 2014, OTA visited the Fall River shop and staff pointed out the opportunities for switching to safer alternatives to the toxic chemicals found in wheel wash, spray gun wash, brake cleaner, degreaser, and lead wheel weights. The staff at Mike’s Auto Body was enthusiastically open to trying these methods to improve safety for their workers and their environment. The shop received a TURI grant in 2015 to purchase safer alternatives for wheel weights, spray gun and brake cleaning chemicals, general degreasing, and wheel cleaning. Download PDF file (2.10 MB)

912 Auto Center - Switching to Water Based Paint and Paint Gun Washers. 2014.

  912 Auto Center made a number of changes to their operations when they moved their location to Dorchester from Mattapan. These changes were spurred by the owner's commitment to improving the quality of both his product and the working environment. The success he has experienced as a result of switching from primarily solvent-based painting and paint gun washing to primarily water-based painting and paint gun washing systems has been significant. Operating costs are reduced, performance and productivity are improved, and worker satisfaction is enhanced. Download PDF file (2.16 MB)

Assabet Auto Tech Program. 2019

  The Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School Automotive Technology (Auto Tech) Program is creating a safer and healthier work environment for students by replacing harsh solvents with a microbe-based (bio-based) technology to clean dirty parts. Download PDF file (357.78 kB)

Workshop Auto Minimizes Use of Hazardous Chemicals

  Workshop Auto, located in Lowell, provides auto repair and engine machining services, specializing in foreign cars. The shop had been using over 1,200 14-ounce aerosol cans of engine degreaser on average each year. The aerosol cleaner contained toxic chemicals that were being sprayed in poorly ventilated spaces, negatively impacting the air quality in the shop. Workshop Auto replaced their aerosol degreaser with an aqueous engine washing machine using a TURI small business grant. The new machine uses a less hazardous cleaner in an enclosed piece of equipment that further minimizes worker exposure. Download PDF file (330.99 kB)