Workshop degreasers, cleaners & hand care — by the drum
Triple Red engine degreaser, aluminium and metal cleaners, rust converter, hand cleaners, body fillers and chemical-resistant gloves for independent workshops, dealerships, panelbeaters and fleet depots.
Workshops run on chemicals — degreasers, metal and parts cleaners, rust treatments, fillers — and since the Hazardous Chemical Agents Regulations, 2021 each one needs a Safety Data Sheet, a correct label and trained staff using the right PPE.
Motor-vehicle repair is also one of the highest-risk trades for skin disease: prolonged contact with degreasers and used engine oil causes dermatitis, so proper gloves and a hand-care routine matter as much as the cleaning chemicals themselves. Here’s the regulatory picture and the range that covers it.
What the regulations require in a workshop
Chemicals, PPE and waste — the three areas inspectors and clients look at.
Employers must prevent releases, provide suitable PPE, keep up housekeeping and hygiene, monitor exposure where required, and train staff before exposure. Every chemical needs a GHS Safety Data Sheet and a correct label. [3]
Where a hazard can’t be removed, the employer must provide suitable protective equipment free of charge and keep it in good condition — for degreasing that means chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection. [4]
Motor vehicle repair is a high-risk trade for dermatitis. Use chemical-resistant gloves for degreasing, don’t rely on barrier creams as full protection, and avoid prolonged skin contact with used engine oil, which can cause dermatitis and skin cancer. [5]
Used oil may not be dumped or burned unprocessed — it must go to a registered processor, and oily rags, filters and absorbents should be kept in separate containers. The ROSE Foundation runs accredited used-oil collection. [6]
Prescribed under section 82 of the Consumer Protection Act and in force since 2015, the code — enforced through the Motor Industry Ombudsman — sets standards for how workshops deal with customers. [7]
Workshop chemicals and hand care
Live prices. Volume discounts apply automatically at checkout.
Triple Red workshop chemicals
Engine degreaser in 5 L and 25 L, aluminium and metal cleaner, rust converter, paint remover and cement remover.
Degreasers
For engines, parts, floors and wash bays.
Hand cleaners
Heavy-duty hand cleaners to remove oil and grease at the end of every job.
Gloves & PPE
Nitrile, chemical-resistant and PVC gloves, safety eyewear and continental suits.
Rust treatment & body fillers
Rust removers and converters, plus fibreglass and body fillers for panel repairs.
Workshop supplies checklist
Send us this list with your bay count for a trade quote.
- Engine degreaser in 25 L for the wash bay
- Aluminium / metal cleaner and parts cleaner
- Rust converter and body fillers
- Heavy-duty hand cleaner at every basin
- Nitrile or chemical-resistant gloves (no knitted liners for degreasing)
- Safety eyewear for degreasing and grinding
- Overalls or continental suits
- Separate, labelled containers for used oil, oily rags and filters
- A used-oil collection arrangement with an accredited collector
- An SDS file and chemical training record for every technician
Why Automotive Workshops buy from Securadeal
Buy more, save more — automatically
Volume discounts apply at checkout on qualifying products — no code, no account needed. Company name & VAT number go straight onto your tax invoice.
Running a fleet depot or several branches? Get fleet pricing →
Frequently asked questions
What do the Hazardous Chemical Agents Regulations mean for a motor workshop?
Every hazardous chemical you use — degreasers, cleaners, thinners, fillers — needs a GHS Safety Data Sheet and a correct label. You must train technicians before they are exposed, provide suitable PPE, keep up housekeeping and hygiene, prevent releases, and monitor exposure where required. The regulations replaced the 1995 Hazardous Chemical Substances Regulations.
How must a workshop dispose of used oil and oily rags?
Used oil is hazardous waste: it may not be dumped or burned unprocessed and must go to a registered processor. Keep oily rags, filters and absorbents in separate containers. The ROSE Foundation runs an accredited used-oil collection network.
How do mechanics prevent dermatitis from degreasers and oil?
Wear chemical-resistant gloves for degreasing (not knitted-liner gloves), avoid prolonged skin contact with used engine oil, wash with a proper hand cleaner rather than solvent, and use after-work skin care. Barrier creams help but are not full protection.
What should we look for in a workshop engine degreaser?
Match it to the job: a heavy-duty degreaser in a 25 L drum for wash bays and engine bays, with an SDS that sets out dilution, PPE and rinsing. Triple Red’s engine degreaser comes in 5 L and 25 L. Always store it away from acids and follow the label.
Who pays for workshop PPE?
The employer. Under the OHS Act and General Safety Regulation 2, suitable PPE must be provided free of charge where hazards can’t be removed, and section 23 prohibits deducting its cost from wages.
Can a fleet or multi-branch operator get trade pricing?
Yes. Volume discounts apply automatically (5+ saves 2%, 10+ saves 4%, 20+ saves 5%), and we quote fleet and multi-branch supply. Send us your list.
Other industries we supply
Sources & references
- TimesLive — RMI skills programmes; MIWA and aftermarket figures (Sept 2026) — timeslive.co.za/motoring/2026-09-28-rmi-rolls-out-skills-programmes-to-prepare-workshops-for-evs
- BusinessTech — Right to Repair SA estimate of independent repair share (2023) — businesstech.co.za/news/motoring/671359/good-news-for-car-owners-in-south-africa
- Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents, 2021 (GN R280) — lawlibrary.org.za/akn/za/act/gn/2021/r280
- General Safety Regulations, Reg 2 — personal safety equipment — acts.co.za/occupational-health-/gsr_nr1031_2_personal_safety_equipment_and_facilities
- UK HSE — skin hazards in motor vehicle repair (international guidance) — hse.gov.uk/skin/employ/highrisk/mvr.htm
- Mining Weekly — recycling used oil and related waste in workshops — miningweekly.com/article/recycling-used-oil-related-waste-in-workshops-2018-08-28
- Automotive Industry Code of Conduct (Notice 817 of 2014) — acts.co.za/consumer-protection/n817_notice_no__817_of_2014
Regulation summaries are general guidance to help you plan procurement — not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with your health & safety officer or the relevant authority.
Trade pricing for workshops & fleets
Tell us what you use and how many sites — we'll quote volume pricing within one business day.