Auto Repair Safety
Written by Jon Vorisek | Reviewed for accuracy by Lawrence Valerio on January 11, 2026
The hardworking people who make up the auto repair industry keep our vehicles on the road. In the case of technicians, this often involves risks to their personal safety.
In the United States alone, over a million technicians perform their work in over 286,000 shops. Because of the physical nature of this work, the tools and materials used, and the fast-paced repair shop environment, these technicians are exposed to various hazards and the potential for injury.
Protecting the safety of these workers is paramount. The purpose of this guide is to empower shop management and technicians to foster safe working environments and reduce or eliminate injuries.
Auto repair injury statistics
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, technicians in the United States suffered over 17,000 injuries, including over 9,000 injuries that required time off work, in the year 2022 (the most recent year for which data is available).
Types of injuries
The multifaceted work done in repair shops creates the risk of many different types of injuries, including:
- Sprains, strains, tears
- Fractures
- Cuts, lacerations, punctures
- Bruises, contusions
- Burns
- Chemical burns, corrosions
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Soreness, pain
Contents of the guide
This guide is broken down into sections covering different auto repair topics. Each section includes links to additional resources and other sections when appropriate.
Jon Vorisek is the Founder and CEO of Repair Surge, which provides OEM-based repair information to DIY mechanics and professional service technicians. He has a passion for creating software that helps people fix cars safely and effectively.
Lawrence Valerio is an ASE Master Automobile Technician and an experienced shop manager. He started working on cars at seven years old while learning from his father. He enjoys spending time under the hood and training others in the skills needed to work on today's vehicles.