An Atlanta mechanic who serviced Waymo’s local fleet says he quit after repeatedly begging managers for basic high-voltage safety gear, claiming some technicians were told to work on live wiring without insulated tools or arc-flash protection.
Michael Shannon told investigators he started buying his own insulating tools and high-voltage gloves out of pocket, and ultimately walked away from a West Midtown shop before completing a full year on the job. He said he pushed the issue because he wanted to keep someone from getting hurt at work.
Shannon shared his account with Channel 2 Investigates, which was published by WSB-TV. The station reports that Shannon showed photos of the personal safety equipment he purchased and said arguments over tools and parts were common. According to the station, Shannon also provided emails with Jaguar Land Rover warranty staff in which he complained that he was being directed to install used components. WSB-TV reports the repairs involved Jaguar I-PACE vehicles that Waymo operates in Atlanta.
Safety Rules For EV Repairs
Federal workplace rules require employers to provide protective equipment for anyone working on high-voltage systems, and OSHA standards spell out how that is supposed to look in practice. Under OSHA regulations, rubber insulating gloves must be electrically tested before they are first issued and then retested every six months. Employers are required to certify that testing and keep records available for employees and inspectors. Those documentation rules help investigators determine whether a maintenance shop is meeting the minimum safety bar.
Waymo And AutoNation Respond
In a response quoted by Channel 2, Waymo said, "Safety is our highest priority" and told investigators it had "thoroughly reviewed" Shannon’s concerns and concluded technicians had the proper tools, according to WSB-TV. The company also noted that mechanics at its Atlanta depot are contracted through AutoNation.
AutoNation, in a statement carried by the station, said it "works closely with our partners to ensure our Associates always have the necessary tools, training, and equipment." WSB-TV additionally published an email from a Jaguar Land Rover warranty representative to Shannon that stated it is never appropriate to install a used part on a vehicle under warranty.
Fleet Context And Local Reaction
Waymo has relied on Jaguar I-PACE SUVs as the backbone of its robotaxi rollout in Atlanta and beyond, saying it recently received its final deliveries from Jaguar and is now building thousands more vehicles through a U.S. integration plant. The company’s blog portrays the I-PACE fleet and factory investments as part of a broader growth plan and stresses that safety remains central to operations, according to Waymo.
Locally, tension around driverless cars is hardly new. Hoodline previously reported that Atlanta police drew up a six-page playbook for dealing with Waymo vehicles on city streets, a sign that the technology is already forcing new procedures for local agencies.
What Comes Next
Shannon says he raised his concerns to protect the mechanics who stayed behind, and there are federal avenues if workers decide to escalate. Employees can file confidential safety or whistleblower complaints with OSHA to request an inspection, and the agency explains how to submit a complaint on its website.
For now, Waymo and its contractors say they have reviewed Shannon’s claims. The standoff leaves questions about how safety is handled inside local maintenance shops and how aggressively regulators might probe those practices.
