HEAT, LIGHT, AND VENTILATION

Heat, light, and ventilation for a large, permanent maintenance shop are included in the plan specification. However, the installation of these facilities in the small or temporary shop depends on the maintenance supervisor.

The decision of whether to heat your shop depends upon its geographical location. Heaters should be arranged to provide warmth where it is most needed. Persons working at benches or in the shop store require more heat than people working in the main shop for comparatively short periods. For this reason, you should place heaters in corners convenient to workbenches and away from shop doors.

For adequate lighting, most maintenance shops depend upon lights arranged in the overhead of the main shop, lights and windows near the workbenches, and extension lights that can be plugged into electrical outlets. When you are in charge of setting up a maintenance shop, make sure that enough electrical outlets are provided for extension lights and electric power tools. Only the most elaborate shops have enough windows for efficient lighting.

Removing exhaust gases becomes a big problem in every maintenance shop. Large doors in the front and rear of the shop and windows at the workbenches normally supply all the fresh air needed, but even these are inadequate to remove excessive amounts of exhaust gases. These gases rise and are trapped in the shop overhead unless roof openings with ventilating fans are provided. Normally, it is up to the supervisor of a temporary shop to provide his own method of ventilation. A piece of flexible steel or neoprene hose attached to the exhaust on a running engine and carried outdoors through an opening in the building will serve the purpose. Do not allow any unnecessary operation of an engine inside the shop.

When stationary gasoline or diesel engines are used to produce power in the maintenance shop, provide exhaust outlets for them. Do not depend on natural ventilation through door and windows.

At least once during each deployment have the maintenance shop evaluated by the local base industrial hygienist, if the service is available. Do this through your battalion safety office.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

The quantities and kinds of tools and equipment required for a maintenance shop vary with each shop. In deciding what tools and what type of equipment to have on hand, consider two factors: (1) the operational needs of the battalion and (2) the cost of the work at a component overhaul facility. Of course, the needs of the service come first, but not entirely without cost justification. Base your decision concerning the second factor solely on the facts and figures given in transportation maintenance management reports.

In a maintenance shop setup for repairing all types of equipment, you will coordinate and supervise work on many different types; therefore, study carefully the layout of the shop and the placement of shop equipment. You will probably be the one to decide whereto put the shop equipment. This is where experience counts, You should know where the repair equipment is needed and where it will be accessible to the operators who will use it. Without careful planning you can waste a lot of space and time in shifting equipment from one place to another. If space in the main shop is critical, special repair equipment can be put in smaller shops or rooms adjoining the main shop.

Power tools, such as drill presses and bench grinders commonly used in repairing all kinds of equipment, should be located in or near the main shop area. The locations of other power tools, such as hydraulic or electric lifts, valve grinders, and machines for aligning wheels and relining brakes, depend on where the tools will be best utilized. The master switch that controls all power in the shop should be installed where it can be reached quickly in an emergency.

In placing power tools, secure the legs or bases to a level surface strong enough to support them and make sure they will not move or bounce when in use. Before connecting stationary, electrically operated power tools to power outlets, be sure that each one is positioned so that the starting and stopping switch is within easy reach of the operator. Ground-fault interrupters should be installed to prevent accidental electrical shock. When the connection is complete, test the tools to ensure that the installation is safe. Also, let your mechanics operate them and consider any suggestions they may have for improvements. As always, make sure your tool and equipment operators wear protective gear. Double-check often, looking for ways to improve the efficiency, as well as the safety, of the whole maintenance shop.

Welding equipment must be operated in an area apart from the rest of the shop. Post hazard warning signs in the area and equip it with fire- fighting equipment. Erect screens that will confine flying sparks to reduce the chances that they will start fires or get into somebody's eyes.