501-25 Body Repairs - General Information 2014 Fiesta
Description and Operation Procedure revision date: 02/7/2013

Health and Safety Precautions

General

Appropriate repair methods and their correct correct implementation are very important for both vehicle operating safety and personal safety.

Observe caution during high voltage electrical welding.

Personal Protection

Welding gases and grinding dusts can be harmful to the health. For this reason, make sure that rooms are well ventilated and work using the welding fumes extraction system. Sealants, underbody protection and paint residues must not be burnt down with an unshielded flame, as this will produce gases which are damaging to health. A dedicated extraction system must always be used when welding or brazing.

When working with substances containing solvents, good ventilation must be provided, respiratory protection must be worn and an extraction system must be used.

Do not weld in damp areas, if necessary use an insulation mat. Welding and grinding work near the battery presents the danger of explosion. For this reason, it must be removed before the work is started.

Wear hearing protection when cutting, grinding or when noise levels reach of 85 to 90 decibals (dB) and above.

When performing repairs involving air bag systems

Vehicle Protection

Protect affected areas from weld spatter and dust during all welding and grinding work on the vehicle. If metallic dust stays on the vehicle for some time, there is the likelihood of film rust formation. Grinding or sanding work produce tiny spots of damage to the paint surface, which may cause corrosion.

Protective Equipment

The following protective equipment must always be used:

Electronic Components

Overvoltages produced during welding and in alignment work during bodyshell rectification may cause electronic systems to be damaged. In particular, the safety instructions for performing welding work on vehicles with airbag systems must be adhered to.