Industry Advice Ask Mike: Are Shops Missing the Mark with Environmental and Safety Compliance?

with Mike Anderson

This month, we “Ask Mike” to share his thoughts on common environmental and safety compliance issues he’s seen at collision repair facilities. We at Hammer & Dolly hope you find the following exchange useful, and we encourage you to reach out to us if you have a question for Mike on this or any industry-related matter that he can answer in a future issue.

Hammer & Dolly: We’ve talked a lot about the importance of proper repair procedures and industry standards, so let’s devote some time to something that’s often overlooked: environmental and safety compliance. What are some of the biggest compliance issues you’re seeing as you consult with shops in the WMABA region and beyond?

Mike Anderson: There are various areas of compliance that must be adhered to if you run a shop. Obviously, there are requirements from OSHA and the EPA, but you’re also subject to inspections from the local fire marshal. When it comes to compliance, it’s always best to be proactive.

When I had my shops, I shut down on a Friday every January and had a third party come in and perform respirator fit tests. I would also do fire extinguisher training and things of that nature. Even if you must pay for it, you should consider having a third-party company, such as GMG EnviroSafe and KPA, come through your shop twice a year to ensure that everything is above board. It’s also a good idea to call your fire marshal and ask them to do an inspection versus having them come in unannounced. If you take the initiative to invite them and they find something that’s non-compliant, you won’t get fined for it.

A shop owner recently called me about one of their painters, who refused to wear a full hooded respirator when they sprayed. When you have an employee like that, or maybe one who keeps food in their stall, having a third party come in to let them know those activities aren’t in compliance helps you not be the bad guy in those employees’ eyes.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen fires break out in shops, and I had one break out in my shop once. Fortunately, we were able to contain it, because everyone knew where the fire extinguishers were. Just like we had fire drills when we were in school, everyone at a shop should be prepped and trained just in case it happens there. It’s also important to understand whatever specific ordinances your state or county has regarding fire extinguishers. Generally, fire extinguishers need to be inspected monthly. In some cases, the OEMs you’re partnered with have their own compliance requirements that must be followed.

Your mixing room is another consideration, as you need a curb of a certain height in the front. There may also be ordinances regarding how you store and label hazardous materials and how often these items need to be inspected. There may also be requirements for ground straps or ground wires that must be attached to your thinner drums, as well as compliance rules for your exhaust system.

Always be proactive in maintaining all equipment in the shop. Schedule compressor services, paint booth services and things of that nature, and stay on top of when these services are due. By having a service schedule in advance, you can better structure your cash flow to fulfill these needs.

When shops think about compliance, they should include their human resources documentation. Making sure you have current emergency contact information is critical, as is having your employees sign off on all pertinent HR forms at least annually. Of course, you should verify whatever specific labor laws apply to your business. Additionally, you may be required by your city to have an evacuation plan mounted on the wall. These are just a few examples of possible requirements, but there are many.

Regular training is another essential part of maintaining compliance and safety in the shop. Employees should understand how to properly handle hazardous materials, operate equipment, respond to spills and fires and use required personal protective equipment. Training should be documented, with records showing when employees received instruction and when refresher training is required. Taking time to review these procedures with your team can help prevent accidents, reduce downtime and create a workplace culture where safety and compliance are treated as shared responsibilities.

H&D: As we both know, there have been some unfortunate incidents where technicians have been injured, sometimes severely, because they weren’t adhering to compliance within the shop, or the shop didn’t have a stated plan for safety. What are some compliance blind spots you’re seeing across the country?

MA: Eye protection is often an issue. I’ve stressed the importance of fire extinguisher inspections a lot in this conversation because that’s a very common problem I see out there. I’ve also seen hazardous waste stored inappropriately. At some shops, I’ve seen things stored on racks that are either unlabeled or don’t have weight limit information visible.  I’ve seen a lot of technicians weld without wearing a proper welding respirator. That’s obviously concerning.

Again, shops need to be proactive. When I had my shops in Alexandria, we had something that was called a Knox Box. It was outside of the facilities, and it had keys to get into the building and into any room. So, if the fire department showed up, they’d have a way to access everything.

Compliance and protection matter, and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Want more? Check out the November 2026 issue of Hammer & Dolly!