Page 32 - Australasian Paint & Panel Jul-Aug 2020

Tech Talk
32
PAINT&PANEL JULY / AUGUST 2020
WWW.PAINTANDPANEL.COM.AU
They should simply be aware of such vehi- cles being on the premises and understand how to behave in this new environment.
It’s important for all staff to realise that distraction could be deadly. An innocent mistake could lead to a catastrophic chain of events for the wider business. Conversation and mobile phone use should be considered because of their potential to distract.
It’s important for all staff to realise
that distraction could be deadly.”
Training can give all staff the right lev- el of awareness but clear identification within the workplace is required to make a business HV safe. It is imperative to en- sure bodyshops and service centres have the right procedures and signage in place to protect all staff. This includes having a designated area where an HV vehicle can be clearly identified. While Personal Pro- tection Equipment is critical, this should be treated as the last defence against in- jury - not the first. All of these things can make the repair centre much safer.
4CARMAKERS CAN’T
AFFORD NOT TO TRAIN
Hundreds of millions of pounds are spent by carmakers on advertising their ranges every year. At Thatcham Research, we believe heavy investment should be com- mitted to training that involves the body- shop but also stretches beyond it.
HVs represent a relatively new, signifi- cant technological change that is gather- ing pace. As such, it isn’t reasonable to consider technicians’ existing training is enough to give them the necessary aware- ness and ability to deal with HV systems. It’s too important to just leave people to their own devices and expect them to build new competencies themselves, how- ever skilled they are and however long they have been working in the industry.
Businesses should pause now for an inter- nal review of their procedures and require- ments relating to HVs. Without the proper training in place across the organisation, the whole business could be placed at risk by a single technician working on just one HV.
There’s also the question of who should train external teams that come into con- tact with HVs, such as first responders, ve- hicle recovery staff and independent re- pair shops. Although these employees fall outside a carmaker’s network, the indus- try and its partners would be much better prepared if manufacturers joined the push for mass education about HVs.
Thatcham Research believes that gov- ernment should also be charged with highlighting the risks, not just the op- portunities, that HVs bring.
THE OVERALL BENEFITS
OF TRAINING
There’s little doubt that today’s techni- cians need to be diagnosis and hardware savvy as they progress to working in a precision engineering environment. I be- lieve the revolution in automotive tech- nology goes beyond that being witnessed in any other sector. This is bringing new risks but also expansive opportunities.
Thatcham Research is keen to encour- age all automotive businesses, not least bodyshops, to promote their capabili- ties. A fully HV-enabled business can highlight these skills to work providers, carmakers and consumers to increase demand for their services. They can also differentiate themselves from the com- petition, attracting and retaining the best talent in what’s becoming a hugely exciting market for employees.
With investment being poured into the industry, it’s a great time for young people to consider a career in automotive services. This includes the organisations charged with making HVs safe. We should all be encouraging government and our educa- tion system to promote the employment op- portunities on offer.
All in all, it’s clear training and educa- tion can give automotive businesses the power they need to ensure the high volt- age-driven future of automotive is as safe as their colleagues, and motorists, will surely demand.
ABOVE: BMW electric engine.
LEFT: Cutaway model HV battery Audi e-tron.