Vehicle repair staff should receive suitable training to ensure they can carry out their work safely and competently, in line with their duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and supporting regulations such as PUWER. Training should reflect the specific risks found in a workshop environment and the types of work being undertaken.
In practice, training is not one-size-fits-all and should be based on role, experience and the equipment being used. New starters typically require an induction covering workshop rules, emergency procedures and basic safety awareness before being allowed to work unsupervised.
Typical training for vehicle repair staff includes:
- Safe use of workshop equipment such as vehicle lifts, jacks, tyre machines and power tools
- Manual handling techniques to reduce risk of injury when lifting or moving parts
- COSHH awareness for handling oils, fuels, brake cleaners, solvents and other chemicals
- Fire safety awareness and emergency procedures within the workshop
- PPE use and understanding when different protective equipment is required
- Safe working practices for vehicle inspection, repair and servicing activities
- Electrical safety awareness, particularly where diagnostic or live systems are involved
- Specialist training for higher-risk tasks such as welding, spray painting or EV/hybrid vehicle work where applicable
Training should be kept up to date, refreshed where necessary, and recorded so there is evidence of competency across the workshop.