Simple green tips for the workshop

MTA NSW environmental Manager, Sarah Walton, offers autobody repairers some tips on how to make your workshop green.

It’s not always easy to run an automotive business both ecologically and economically – our concern for the environment can often be forgotten when operating a busy workshop. Here are some simple green workshop tips that can prevent both an environmental crisis and a large outlay of cash:

Your staff should be aware of their environmental responsibilities. Upon induction or in regular tool-box meetings, it is your responsibility to ensure staff are trained appropriately.

Keep you Material Safety Data Sheets onsite. MSDS provide a broad range of information on the chemicals used for safety and also environmental purposes. Staff should be made aware through training where to access MSDS. Signage can also be fixed to the cupboard or shelf where they are located.

Lights and computers should be switched off after hours. Even equipment left on standby uses electricity. Get your staff into the habit of turning off electrical equipment before leaving the workshop and office. If there are areas in the workshop that do not require lighting all day (such as the toilets), consider signage to remind staff to turn off the light once finished.

The workshop should contain an adequate number of emergency spill kits. Spill kits are imperative to have in mechanical and smash repair workshops. A wheelie bin containing absorbents and protective equipment to clean up a spill is easy to obtain (contact Green Stamp Plus on 02 9213 4231 for a list of companies who manufacture spill kits) and there should be at least one (depending on the size of your shop) ready to go should you need it! Spill station signs and spill instructions are also something to consider.

External openings of the workshop are all bunded. By bunding the external openings, all liquids are prevented from leaving the workshop. A bund is a low wall or other obstruction (such as a speed bump or angle iron) that will prevent any spilled material from leaving a workshop or chemical storage area (contact Green Stamp Plus on 02 9213 4231 for a list of companies who manufacture bunding for workshops)

Other green initiatives to consider: Rainwater tanks, coolant recycling machines, skylights, using recycled paper, conducting an annual waste audit and measuring your carbon footprint.

For further information or advice on the Green Stamp Plus program, please contact the MTA on (02) 9213 4231.