What this checklist covers
Automotive workshops and body shops in the United States fall under OSHA’s general industry standards. The most common risks are chemicals (paints, solvents, cleaners), vehicle lifts, electrical equipment, compressed air, noise, slips and fire. OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard requires a written program, labelled containers, Safety Data Sheets and training for employees who work with hazardous chemicals.
The OSHA Automotive Workshop Safety Checklist is a 15-point scorecard for technician safety, PPE, lifts, welding/cutting hazards, chemical exposure, slips, noise, ergonomics, and shop housekeeping. Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on what the auditor sees on the day, and every gap goes into an action plan with an owner and a close date.
AutoSmart tip: OSHA autobody shop hazards include chemical exposures from paints, solvents, isocyanates, chromium, sanding dust, and welding fumes — alongside physical hazards from lifts and cutting tools. The most serious chemical exposure risks (isocyanates and hexavalent chromium) require specific engineering controls and PPE that go beyond general shop practice. Confirm that two-component paint systems and any chromium-containing material are identified, that correct respiratory protection is specified, and that technicians are trained on the specific hazard — not relying on general ‘wear PPE’ instructions.
The checks
Tap Yes, No or Maybe to try it: your answers stay in this page and clear when you refresh. For a detailed walkthrough, download our PDF or book a demo.
PPE and lift safety
- Is appropriate PPE (safety glasses, face shields, chemical-resistant gloves, safety footwear, hearing protection) available and being worn by technicians for each task — as required under OSHA's PPE standard (29 CFR 1910.132)?
- Are all vehicle lifts inspected annually by a qualified inspector per ANSI/ALI ALOIM standards, with current inspection certificates posted on or near each lift?
- Are technicians trained on safe lift operation — including vehicle positioning, weight distribution, adapter placement, and lock engagement — with training records maintained?
- Are jack stands used whenever a vehicle is raised on floor jacks for any task requiring work beneath the vehicle — with no technician working under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack?
Welding/cutting hazards and chemical exposure
- Are welding and cutting operations conducted with appropriate local exhaust ventilation or general dilution ventilation, controlling technician exposure to welding fumes below OSHA permissible exposure limits?
- Are technicians working with isocyanate- containing paints or hardeners (two-part polyurethane systems) protected with supplied- air respirators — as OSHA notes that isocyanates are a leading cause of occupational asthma?
- Are technicians working with chromium- containing paints, primers, or body solder protected from hexavalent chromium exposure — with exposure controls meeting OSHA's Hexavalent Chromium standard (29 CFR 1910.1026)?
- Are sanding dust exposure controls (wet sanding, local exhaust, respiratory protection) in place for operations generating body filler, paint, or rust dust — particularly for materials that may contain hazardous constituents?
Slips, noise and ergonomics
- Is the workshop floor maintained dry and free from oil, coolant, and water accumulation — with absorbent materials and drainage maintained to prevent slip hazards?
- Is noise exposure assessed for operations exceeding 85 dBA (8-hour TWA) — and where exposure thresholds are met, is a hearing conservation program in place per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95?
- Are ergonomic risk factors (prolonged awkward postures, heavy lifting, repetitive forceful motions) identified for high-risk tasks — and are engineering or administrative controls available to reduce ergonomic strain?
Shop housekeeping and OSHA governance
- Is shop housekeeping maintained to the standard required by OSHA's general industry housekeeping standard (29 CFR 1910.22) — with aisles clear, floors clean, and materials stored in a way that does not create tripping or falling hazards?
- Is an OSHA 300 Log maintained if the dealership is required to keep injury and illness records — with required annual summary posted in a visible location during the required posting period (February 1 to April 30)?
- Are workers' rights under OSHA (including the right to report injuries, request inspections, and receive training) communicated to all employees through OSHA's required Job Safety and Health poster, posted in a prominent location?
- Is a written emergency action plan in place per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 — covering evacuation procedures, alarm systems, and employee roles — with all employees trained on the plan?
How to run it
How the scoring works
Before the visit, fill in the dealer or centre, the auditor, the date and the audit cycle. Then score each of the 15 checks from 1 to 5 on what you see on the day, not on what the site aims for, and add them up out of 75.
- 1Not in place
- 2Attempted
- 3Defined
- 4Managed
- 5Fully sustained
- Green60–75 · 80–100%Compliant. Keep the standard.
- Amber38–59 · 50–79%Improvement needed: a structured action plan within 30 days.
- Red0–37 · Below 50%Priority intervention, escalated to regional management.
Then close every gap
Each gap goes into the action plan tracker and moves through four stages until the auditor closes it.
- 1PendingOwner and close date set
- 2In progressWork under way, evidence gathered
- 3CompletedEvidence submitted for review
- 4ApprovedVerified and closed by the auditor
Questions about this checklist
Which OSHA standards matter most in a workshop?
Hazard communication, personal protective equipment and respiratory protection, machine guarding, electrical safety, fire protection and recordkeeping are the usual focus. Body shops also need to manage spray finishing and isocyanate exposure.
How often should lifts be inspected?
Follow the lift manufacturer’s instructions and industry guidance: daily checks by the operator and a periodic inspection by a qualified lift inspector, commonly once a year.
Do state rules apply?
Some states run their own OSHA-approved plans with additional requirements. Check which applies to your site.
