This was in todays Atanta Journal Constitution:

COBB COUNTY: Vehicle slips off jack stands, kills owner

An Austell man working under his van died Thursday night after the van
slipped off the jack stands, according to police. The accident happened
at 10:54 p.m. in the driveway of at 984 Peel Castle Lane, Cobb police
said. Police identified the man as Darrell Young, 34.


I frequently preach about safety when doing auto work and thought it might be helpful to post an actual article. One can only speculate what went wrong, but remember, if safety is practiced, this can be avoided. Use good equipment, have a floor jack handy with a person who knows how to use it, have a phone there, and make sure you are on solid level pavement with the wheels chocked. When using leverage to unseize stuck axle nuts, etc, that could actually shiuft the car, don't be underneath! If you are smart enough to figure out mechanical problems, you are smart enough to figure out safety problems! Think before you act!

Work Safely!

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Deezel
87 300TDT
150,000 miles

I have strong feelings about this myself.

Yesterday a man broke down within sight of my shop. He came in and asked me to fix it on the road. (very busy road)...I told him to have it towed to the safety of my shop and insurance and I would repair it, and I did. This was for my kids and wife and me.


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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1992 500E (very soon I hope
1981 280GE SWB
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Maybe this is obvious but - it's not a bad idea to stand up, after the car is jacked up and on stands, before you get underneath it, and shake the car hard, and watch it move on the jack stands.
If you don't like what you see you will probably do something about it.
It's going fast and believing that adrenalin is better than technique that generates injuries - because nobody starts out intending to hurt themselves.
Harvey

Absolutely correct on all points! I spent many years overseeing radiation, chemical, and biohazard safety, as well as sitting on various safety committees, Industrial Hygiene boards, and accident review committees. ALWAYS the injured were people who gave lip service to safety, but:
1: I was in a hurry.
2: I've done this before with no problem.
3: The rules are too strict and expensive.
4: I didn't want to look like a sissy.
5: I didn't think about this situation.
6: etc. ad infinitum.

At a reactor, a plumber or electrician must review the plans of a critical part being serviced in advance, and demonstrate the repair process to his manager in advance, and get safety approval in advance. These people spend 20-40% of their time standing watches on training simulators with supervisors occasionally throwing unlikely accidents at them, and STILL unexpected accidents happen.

Moral: Plan in advance, think through your actions, don't work while drinking or hung over or tired, make sure you have enough light, ventilation, etc., and you will be a safer worker. Also, you may find yourself doing a better job - the most safety conscious people at the university usually had the reputation of doing the best work!

End of sermon. Enjoy our cars!!!


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JCE
87 300E, 65k miles
Smoke Silver

I read the article in the AJC and I totally agree with everyones observations on safety. I am a boiler and pressure vessel engineer that works around paper mill recovery boilers day in and day out. There is NEVER any situation that I can think of where you have to hurry up and cut corners where safety is concerned. ALWAYS think all jobs through prior to starting.
engatwork

ANY time you jack up a car for ANY repair beyond a roadside flat tire change, use sturdy jack stands under a solid, nonrusty frame or unibody subframe member, chock the wheels, set the e-brake, unless the repair procedure requires turning the rear wheels, and supplement the jack stands with a floor jack under a solid part of the car. BEFORE putting any part of your body under the car, rock the car while watching your jacking points to make sure they are solid. Do not get under a car if no one else is home or nearby. ALWAYS wear safety glasses or goggles when working under a car. All kinds of rust flakes, grease crumbs, sand, fuel, oil, etc. will drop into your eyes if you don't use eye protection. These safety procedures have served me well for years. THINK and take a little time to protect yourself before starting a job; it will go much more smoothly and quickly than it would otherwise, and your project will not be interrupted by a trip to the hospital or cemetery.
Take care all,
Colin

Deezel,

Thanks a million for the post. I continue to say that your being the self appointed Safety Officer is valuable to us all.

BTW, it looks like CIMcon98 my be our Safety Lieutenant.

Keep on preaching, there's no telling how many accidents you're preventing.



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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Aye Aye Captain! And thanx for kind words!

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Deezel
87 300TDT
150,000 miles

This is especially important on our Mercedes, where the jacks are extremely precarious and dangerous.

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1987 300E