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What are the occupational hazards in the workshop and how do we avoid them

Consman Service and Mobility — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 08:04:07 +0000

What are the occupational hazards in the workshop and how do we avoid them

In a workshop like Consman’s, several occupational hazards have to be taken into account in order to implement specific safety measures to prevent accidents and protect the health of workers. In this article, we will discuss the main occupational hazards present in a commercial vehicle repair workshop and the measures we take at Consman to minimise these risks and ensure a safe working environment.

These are the most common occupational hazards in the workshop

Slips and falls

One of the most common hazards in a machine shop is falls, which can occur due to slippery floors, cables, poorly positioned tools or lack of signage. To minimise this risk, we use safety equipment that protects the worker from slips and falls. This equipment includes anti-slip footwear and protections in risk areas, as well as constant vigilance in the correct cleaning and tidiness of the work areas.

Cuts and blows

Working with sharp or heavy tools increases the risk of cuts and shocks. At Consman, workers are provided with protective gloves specific to each type of hazardous tool, as well as body protection to minimise the risk of injury. In addition, regular training on safe tool handling is encouraged to prevent accidents.

Burns

Activities such as welding or using welding torches to fix parts can generate sparks that increase the risk of burns. To protect our workers, welding masks, fireproof gloves and special suits are used to prevent contact with sparks.

Exposure to paint fumes

Exposure to paint fumes is a major risk in paint shops. The fumes generated can be highly toxic if inhaled for prolonged periods of time. To avoid this, we have specialised masks that protect the respiratory passages of employees. In addition, painting work is carried out in specialised booths, where ventilation and air filtering significantly reduce the risk of inhaling hazardous substances.

Fires and explosions

The use of compressed natural gas (CNG) in vehicles adds an additional risk of fires and explosions if not handled properly. To avoid these risks, Consman’s facilities are UNE 13423 certified, which ensures compliance with the specific safety requirements for workshops working with CNG. In addition, staff are trained to work in explosive atmospheres and the facilities comply with the UNE 60079 standard, which ensures that the environment is prepared to minimise any risk of explosion.

We take workshop safety very seriously

The correct implementation of safety measures not only protects the health of workers, but also improves the efficiency of the workshop. By reducing interruptions due to accidents, the workshop can operate more smoothly and without incidents that compromise maintenance times. In addition, maintaining a strong safety culture builds team confidence and ensures that all work is carried out under optimal conditions.

Safety is a priority and a non-negotiable issue. Through the use of proper protective equipment, safety certifications and ongoing training, Consman’s workshop is ensured to operate with the highest standards of safety and professionalism. These efforts not only benefit the workers, but also the customers, who can trust that their commercial vehicle is in the hands of a trained and safe team.

Consman opens new workshop for sustainable mobility vehicles in Tarragona

Consman Service and Mobility — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 10:18:59 +0000

Consman opens new workshop for sustainable mobility vehicles in Tarragona

At Consman we aim to offer the best repair and maintenance service for industrial vehicles to our customers. In this sense, Consman has opened the new workshop specialised in sustainable mobility vehicles in Tarragona. This workshop will have as its main function the maintenance and repair of the fleet of electric and hydrogen buses of the EMT, Municipal Public Transport Company of Tarragona. This strategic move reflects Consman’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and innovation in its workshops.

The workshop is located in the Entrevies industrial park in Tarragona, just 5 minutes from the AP-7 motorway. The facilities have a surface area of 1000 m2, where we find the workshop and an office. The workshop is fully equipped with the latest technology to repair electric and hydrogen vehicles and complies with all safety regulations. It has a bridge crane, lifeline, lifting columns, hydrogen detectors, among other machinery for proper maintenance.

The staff is highly qualified and specifically trained to deal with such industrial vehicles. There is also a service vehicle for the staff to go to any location in the event of an incident. The entire management of the Tarragona workshop is supported and supervised by the Castellbisbal headquarters.

The opening of this workshop for sustainable mobility vehicles in Tarragona is a very important achievement for Consman, as it signifies a growth in the company’s operations and a first firm step towards future expansion.

How to plan the preventive maintenance of industrial vehicles

Consman Service and Mobility — Thu, 25 May 2023 09:25:45 +0000

How to plan the preventive maintenance of industrial vehicles

For any company with industrial vehicles, planning, carrying out and checking the preventive maintenance of industrial vehicles is essential. In this situation, it is advisable to have a series of questions beforehand and some afterwards, such as those shown below:

Collecting information

Make a thorough assessment of the vehicles and establish what the specific preventive maintenance needs are. This may include oil changes, brake maintenance, tyre inspections, electrical system checks and so on. All this information will help you make a realistic projection of what each vehicle needs.

The use of specialised software can help you manage this wealth of data and consult it in real time. At the end of the day, if there is one thing that maintenance helps you to do, it is to anticipate problems.

Establish a maintenance schedule

Once you identify the maintenance needs of the fleet, establish a schedule that indicates when different types of preventive maintenance should be performed. Consider frequency of use, operating conditions and manufacturer’s recommendations.

Projecting the useful life of the vehicle and the preventive needs to make it problem-free and long will be your best tool. For that reason, you should take this criterion into account when planning maintenance.

Why do we say this? Because, in preventive maintenance manoeuvres, there are perhaps some elements that may seem irrelevant, but are relevant in the long run.

Human and material resources

Preventive maintenance is, by definition, the most economical maintenance available. However, this does not mean that you do not need specific resources. First of all, qualified staff (technicians) who can do the checks. Assign clear and specific responsibilities for preventive fleet maintenance. This may include appointing a maintenance technician or a team of mechanics to do the work.

Secondly, material means necessary for diagnosing the vehicle and catching potential problems. For this reason, you should ideally use a professional specialised in these tasks.

Establish a monitoring system

It is important to keep a detailed record of all preventive maintenance tasks performed on each vehicle in the fleet. This will help to identify any recurring problems and to schedule future maintenance more efficiently.

In this regard, automation is another element that should be included in preventive maintenance planning. Thanks to the spread of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), it is easier to automatically check certain vehicle metrics and their actual condition; and, more importantly, more accurately.

Check the results

Finally, maintenance tasks have to deliver results. For this, it is essential that you make a subsequent check, comparing the condition of each vehicle in your databases. This way you will know if you have done your job well or you will be able to identify any incidents that have appeared.

Industrial vehicles, if they have good preventive maintenance, will last longer. And proper planning will help, in several ways, to make it less costly. At Consman we take care of this work with all the guarantees and official certifications.

By following these steps, you can establish an effective preventive maintenance plan for your industrial vehicle fleet, saving you time, money and ensuring the safety of your drivers.

Industrial vehicle repainting: types of paints and painting systems

Consman Service and Mobility — Wed, 11 May 2022 09:01:47 +0000

Industrial vehicle repainting: types of paints and painting systems

The repainting of industrial vehicles is very often done to ensure their good external condition, as part of the maintenance of these vehicles. It is therefore not only a purely aesthetic issue, but also a way of protecting them.

A major threat to these vehicles is rust because it greatly weakens the metals, rendering them unable to withstand heat, pressure or some of the requirements of the work they must perform. Likewise if for example, the body of a truck is rusted, it is much easier for it to suffer serious damage to both the vehicle and its passengers. That is why you have to rely on professionals, so that your industrial vehicles are always in good condition with the repainting.

What types of paint can be used in industrial vehicle repainting

Generally speaking, we can distinguish between three types of paint suitable for the repainting of industrial vehicles. We are talking about acrylic, polyurethane and polystyrene paints. Let’s look at them in more detail.

Acrylic paint

Acrylic paint is adhesive, highly effective giving colour and is not that expensive. Once applied to the bodywork of the industrial vehicle, it creates a uniform coating that is resistant to weathering and other damage. Interestingly, it consists of two components, one of which is a hardener, which, when mixed, polymerises to form an acrylic coating that reaches its maximum hardness within a few days.

Polyurethane paint

When we talk about polyurethane paints, we refer to those with a urethane resin base. Its most important characteristic is that it has very good colouring and adhesion properties. As in the previous case, by applying this paint in the repainting of industrial vehicles, we achieve the hardness and resistance that this type of vehicle needs.

Polystyrene paint

Finally, polystyrene paint is a derivative of the aforementioned polyurethane paint. With a faster drying process than the previous one, it provides an opaque finish to the vehicle. As in the previous cases, it is an effective way to strengthen these vehicles.

Repainting systems of these vehicles

Now that we know the types of paint, let’s explain the painting systems, or repainting, in this case. Broadly speaking, we can talk about the one-coat, two-coat and three-coat systems.

One-coat

In the one-coat system, solid colours are basically applied. In this case, the paint is bound to a catalyst that dilutes it and provides protection and colour. It is important that as the paint itself gives gloss, it is less resistant and there are fewer colours and effects available.

Two-coat

In the two-coat system, as the name suggests, two coats are applied, and this is the most commonly used system. In the first coat the base colour and the effects are applied, and in the second coat the varnish that protects the finish and gives that shine.

Three-coat

Finally, in the three-coat process, two coats of colour and one coat of varnish are applied. It consists in the use of, first a base colour coat, a second one of translucent colour and another one of varnish to finish.

Industrial vehicles, for their repair and maintenance, require workshops with qualified staff and prepared facilities. Are you looking for a reliable workshop for your industrial vehicle or bus? Our paint shop has a 30m long cabin line to help you keep your vehicle in perfect condition.