Safety in the Workshop

The safety rules that keep a diagnosis from becoming an injury — including high voltage.

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Safety notice

High-voltage systems on hybrid and electric vehicles can exceed 400 V DC. They are lethal.
Programming, immobilizer and high-voltage work require manufacturer authorisation and specific equipment.

What you will learn

List the main workshop hazards
Explain high-voltage precautions on hybrid and EV
Use the correct personal protective equipment

A professional diagnosis respects three rules: isolate, verify, then work. Fuel, electricity, high temperature and rotating parts are the classic hazards, and modern vehicles add high-voltage DC and pyrotechnic devices (airbags, seatbelt pretensioners).

High-voltage (HV) systems are a specialist domain. Do not cut, probe or disconnect orange cables without HV training, insulated tools, approved gloves and a documented service-disconnect procedure.

Key points

Personal safety first, vehicle second, profit last.
Treat every orange cable as live until proven dead with the correct meter.
Airbags and pretensioners contain pyrotechnics — observe the manufacturer wait times.

Key points

De-energise before you disassemble
Orange cables mean lethal DC voltage
Only trained technicians work on HV systems

All values shown are training examples. Real thresholds depend on the manufacturer, engine, temperature and system — always confirm with the vehicle service documentation.