Autobody Repair and Refinishing

Autobody Repair and Refinishing Menu Workers' Rights

Hazards and Solutions

Many workers are unaware of the potential hazards in their work environment, which makes them more vulnerable to injury. The following references aid in recognizing and controlling some of the hazards associated with autobody repair and refinishing.

Hazard Recognition
  • Preventing Asthma and Death from Diisocyanate Exposure. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-111, (1996). Summarizes seven case reports of disease and deaths following occupational exposure to diisocyanates.
  • Isocyanates. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Workplace Safety and Health Topic.
  • Good Practices for Employees in Autobody Shops. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 77-229/National Technical Information Service (NTIS) Publication No. PB 276-677, (1977).
  • HSG-Auto Repair and Body Shops. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 75-136/National Technical Information Service (NTIS) Publication No. PB 83-178-210, (1975).
  • For additional information on hazards associated with autobody repair and refinishing, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
Possible Solutions
  • Asbestos-Automotive Brake and Clutch Repair Work. OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB), (July 26, 2006). Informs employees and employers in the automotive brake repair industry of the precautions that must be taken when working with automotive brakes and clutches containing asbestos.
  • QuickCard™: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-Powered Vehicles - Automotive Repair Industry. OSHA and Coordinating Committee for Auto Repair (CCAR) Alliance, (February 2010). CCAR developed a QuickCard™ addressing issues associated with CNG-powered vehicles, including basic safety requirements before working on CNG vehicles.
  • QuickCard™: Hexavalent Chromium - Automotive Collision Repair Industry. OSHA and Coordinating Committee for Auto Repair (CCAR) Alliance, (January 2009). CCAR developed a QuickCard™ addressing issues associated with hexavalent chromium, including precautions that must be taken when refinishing motor vehicle parts.
  • Operating Motor Vehicles: A Guide for Employees in the Automotive Repair Industry. OSHA and Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR) Alliance, (March 2007). CCAR developed a guide providing workers with information on safe driving and their responsibilities while driving a motor vehicle for their company.
  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs).
    • Matrix Auto Body, Englewood, Colorado. Report No. HETA 95-0406-2609, (October 1996). Describes an assessment of worker exposure to isocyanates during spray painting of automobiles. Other concerns for worker exposure included solvents, total dusts, noise, carbon monoxide (CO), and metals.
    • Spence's Carstar, Denver, Colorado. Report No. HETA 95-0405-2600, (September 1996). Summarizes two NIOSH assessments of worker exposure to isocyanates during spray painting of automobiles.
    • Martin's Carstar, Inc., Lakewood, Colorado. Report No. HETA 95-0311-2593, (August 1996). Summarizes two NIOSH assessments of worker exposure to isocyanates during spray painting of automobiles.
  • Control of Dusts From Sanding in Autobody Repair Shops. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-105, (1996).
  • Control of Paint Overspray in Autobody Repair Shops. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-106, (1996).
  • A Control Matrix for Spray Painting at Autobody Repair Shops. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Public Health Service (PHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, (May 1998).
  • Heitbrink W.A., et al. "A Comparison of Conventional and HVLP Spray Painting Guns." Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 57(1996): 304-310.
  • Heitbrink W.A., et al. "Control of Paint Overspray in Autobody Repair Shops." Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 56.10(1995): 1023-1032.
  • Heitbrink W.A., et al. "Evaluation of Ventilated Sanders in the Autobody Repair Industry." Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 55.8(1994): 756-759.
  • For additional information, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on: