Car Wash Safety 101 with Mike Benmosche

Got a minute?

2012-01-29T08:25:00.000-08:00

We all know, in many cases, carwashing volume is way off as a result of several factors. However, there are still busy days. As in many businesses today, carwash owners are often trying to do more with less. These are the times where accidents most likely occur.

Example: At a lube facility the normal procedure for rotating tires required two employees. One of the main purposes of this process was to insure that no steps were missed. During a busy day one employee was removed from this process - result - woman lost tire while driving. The investigation revealed that the lug nuts were never tightened. This could have resulted in serious injury; luckily it was not the case.

How could this apply to carwashing; there have been numerous claims where untrained drivers were used during a busy day resulting in personal injury and property damage incidents.

Moral of the story, procedures are designed to protect customers and employees. It is imperative that everyone at the wash understand that cutting corners, especially at a busy time, will result in increased risk! I recommend highlighting this exposure to your employees with either a poster or an alert included in their paychecks.

OSHA Tip: Bottles used for eyewash stations are not acceptable. To meet OSHA standards the eyewash station must have a minimum of 15 minutes continuous water flow.

The Proof is in the Pudding

2011-10-26T16:43:00.000-07:00

Processes to protect Customers and Employees

With all of the recent OSHA activity keep in mind that not all safety regulations are mandated. Up until now, OSHA has not established a standard for employee fatigue. However, injuries associated with this condition are beginning to mount. Due to weather conditions, car washers often have small windows to wash a volume of cars; this can lead to excessive hours and, of course, employee fatigue. If your company does not have a policy to address this situation, consider putting one in place before someone is hurt or it is mandated by OSHA.

A clerical employee was severely injured in a lube shop that had been converted into a detail bay. In this case the bay still had the opening for working under the cars which created a tripping hazard. Lesson learned: when operations are modified, be sure that the conditions of the facility are conducive for the new operations being preformed. This is also an example of an injury that was sustained as the result of an employee being in an unauthorized area.

Another serious incident occurred when a customer exited their car in a lube bay and fell into the pit. There was a policy in effect requiring all customers to remain in their vehicle, however, the customer chose to ignore this. To prevent these occurrences an accountable employee should be assigned the task of enforcing all rules.

Bottom line, great processes are meaningless unless they are put into action and then enforced.

What Now?

2011-09-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

I recently read that OSHA is likely to target a specific class when a serious accident occurs within their industry group. I also learned that, often, OSHA, will then begin a series of random inspections at nearby business with similar exposures.

Exactly that happened when a car wash worker was killed and one injured by a customer as they exited the tunnel. A year later, OSHA established a special program to focus on planned enforcement of hazards inherent to car washes located in certain states.

Prior to this, inspections had been limited to referrals and complaints. Now it is an industry focus. Do you think they will be looking to make an example of some of these businesses? You bet!

If you don’t have a formal safety program, get one. Your insurance provider can help. If you do have one, now is the time for updates. If you are unclear what to look for, there is an OSHA handbook for small businesses with a self-inspection check list available on their website. It is a good place to start.

If you are a multi location operation, you must have a program at every property.

Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance.

OSHA tip: If you are visited, one new area they are looking at is fire extinguisher inspections. Most operators are aware that the tag must show an inspection has been done annually. However, many might not know that the tag also has spaces on the back for monthly internal inspections. OSHA is now looking to levy fines for those businesses that do not have monthly postings!

Be Prepared for Violent Crimes

2011-06-15T16:49:00.000-07:00

Protecting your employees from harm during the commission of a crime is too often taken for granted.

Violent crimes are a fact of life. We recently paid a claim for an employee that was shot in the head by a robber at a convenience store, one of the profit centers for the car wash location. This location was equipped with alarms, surveillance, good lighting, etc. The problem here is an example of the inherent dangers of extended hours. A lone employee in a 24 hour situation is often more exposed to being held up. Luckily in this instance the employee survived but that is not always the case.

The following are some ideas that might help keep your employees safer when handling money.

ON PREMISE

If you have 24 hour exposure - this is not recommended - but if you choose to:

Have a minimum of two (2) employees on at all times
Keep minimal cash on hand
Install a drop safe
Have signage that clearly states all of the above
Request police drive-bys
Train your employees about safety in a 24 hour environment (only let trained employees work the late night shifts).
Give up cash immediately should you be robbed
Have a silent alarm that can easily be triggered

Do not allow deposits to build up more than one day.
Watch for non-customers or employees that 'hang out' or around the property consistently.
No less than two (2) employees should open or close the wash.
Limit cash on premise and use signage to advertise this fact.
Employees should be trained in emergency and robbery responses.
Install exceptional lighting.
Have a Key Control Plan

OFF PREMISE

Deposits should be handled by more than one (1) person.
Vary routes you take to financial institution/bank.
Vary vehicles you drive to financial institution/bank.
Vary times you go to financial institution/bank.
If there are any incidents while you are carrying money - call the police IMMEDIATELY. A car accident is one example of how robbers obtain access to deposits being transported.

A safe wash protects people and profits!

Watch for details on the FREE 1 hour webinar about 'Crime Safety' sponsored by CNA and Mang Insurance on July 26th and 27th!

Post a comment and share what is working for you at your wash, we would love to hear from you!

It's the little things that counts!

2011-05-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

Something that seems insignificant can sometimes lead to serious or even fatal consequences.

Example: A car wash supervisor died when an air tank exploded in a car wash equipment room. The investigation showed that the pressure relief valves had been tested by the National Board Testing Laboratory and found it to be functioning properly. In an independent evaluation it was discovered that there were products of combustion in the air tank. They reported that this was most likely caused by the wrong viscosity of oil being used (not manufacturer recommended oil). Read the full article

Admittedly, this is a rare accident. What it should show us is the potential hazards that can be the result of cutting corners.

In an effort to take some precautions to ensure that this does not happen at your wash, be sure to have air tanks and compressors inspected and serviced on a regular basis. Please use original equipment manufacturer oil and maintain documentation of all repairs/servicing.

A few more tips:

Air pressure should be drained regularly (weekly).
Service should be done annually.
Oil levels should be checked once a week. (If you notice it needs oil often it probably has a leak and should be checked/repaired.)
Keep maintenance logs up to date.

KA-BOOM!

2011-04-19T17:21:00.000-07:00

While performing a car wash safety inspection I noticed a sign on a vacuum, advising customers of the high risk associated with vacuuming hazardous material.

While this is a new one to me, it seems every few years there is a vacuum explosion at a car wash. How does this happen? Many customers are unaware how dangerous it is to vacuum hazardous waste, such as gasoline, out of their vehicle. The explosion occurs when a spark from the vacuum motor ignites the gasoline fumes.

Fortunately, the incidents I found were all limited to property damage, but certainly this could escalate to a bodily injury claim. Isn't it sad that often your insurance pays the loss when the customer is the cause? One of the best ways to prevent this is to post a sign (like the one shown below), advising them of the danger.

As is often the case with safety, with a small cost and minimal time, you can save yourself the potential headache an incident like this could cause you and your wash.

I hope to see you at the Car Care World Expo 2011 in Las Vegas the first week of May. Visit me at booth 1635 to share some of your car wash safety tips and enter our drawing for a FREE registration to a CarWash College course valued at $1,000.

It is only an 'app' away!

2011-03-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

Do you have a hearing conservation program? If your employee noise exposure levels equal or exceed an eight (8) hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels OSHA says you must have one.

While attending a round table discussion at the Southeastern Carwash Association Roadshow in Atlanta, I found an easy way to determine what your decibels levels are. Kevin Wood, owner of Snappy Express Wash Inc. in Clarksville Georgia, demonstrated how modern technology makes it as easy as 1 - 2 - 3. He simply downloaded an application on his phone for a 'Noise Meter'. Then used it while walking through the tunnel at his wash to identify areas that may exceed acceptable noise levels.

Click here for OSHA's decibel chart and further information you may need to comply with this standard.

I would also suggest that you add this task to your maintenance logs, monitor decibels, changes and necessary actions taken to maintain compliance.

Have any tricks with decibel levels you could share? Post a comment or email us!

Let us count the ways!

2011-02-22T17:40:00.000-08:00

We blogged about chemical safety, OSHA requires it, there have been a flurry of articles recently and it's a hot topic at an upcoming trade show. So it's obvious that many people in this industry believe this is a message that must be heard. However, if the message is never implemented it is meaningless.

Case in point, a carwash manager asked a employee, with only 1.5 months of carwash experience, to transfer a chemical from one barrel to another. During the process the hose slipped out spilling some of the solution on the employees' sneaker. Most likely because the employee was unaware of the danger, he did not mention the mishap right away. As his foot began to bother him he reported it to the manager and was told to go home to remove his shoes and socks. It was assumed the he would report to work the next day. By the time he arrived home the burn had progressed so severely he had to be taken to the hospital. Four months later, after several skin grafts and rehabilitation the employee was able to return to work.

This is currently an open claim already surpassing $30,000.

So how does this really impact the owner of the wash? Let us count the ways!

New employees are one of the most costly investments. Here the employee had to be replaced immediately.
Countless hours of paperwork and time with doctors, insurance claim and employee.
Significant loss that will be part of the owner's record for three long years when placing his insurance. This can equate to an increase in premium from 20% - 40%.
Four months from a young employee's life not to mention the fact that he will have scarring for his entire life.
Negative impact on other personnel with regard to safety issues.

The real kicker......it could have been avoided if there were three basic protocols in place.

Proper employee training - including chemicals
Proper use of MSDS sheets
Procedures to address employee injury/accident

Had the employee been properly trained on the importance to safely handling chemicals and then how vital it would have been to immediately report the accident, and the manager had a procedure to follow, refer to the MSDS sheet for direction and rinsed the employees' foot immediately he may not have been disfigured.

The only way to respond instinctively is to be trained repetitively. Have procedure, train it and practice, practice, practice it, to make it perfect. Because when an accident occurs and you are scared, worried or in reactive mode.....you will know what to do, where to go and who can help.

Those of you who are reading this are probably thinking, I know all this, but do you practice it? And if you do, do your employees?

If you have any suggestions how to ensure chemical safety is properly followed please share with our readers.

Washing safely means bigger profits, healthy employees and happy customers!

The Value of Knowledge - 'Priceless'

2011-01-26T18:33:00.000-08:00

It occurred to me after completing the five day Management Course offered by the CarWash College, that my next blog topic should address the value of learning. Whether it takes place at a course like this, a trade show, educational seminar, association meetings or networking functions, there is no substitute for sharing experiences with other industry professionals. In my case it helped me understand new ways to improve safety at your locations for both your customers and employees.

While at the class I was introduced to some bug removal systems and floor applicators. These inexpensive automated options are used in the Southern States to remove bugs. I realized it could also be used as a solution to a problem I observed recently while doing an onsite safety inspection at an exterior car wash. It was in the Northeast, so the entrance to the tunnel was cold, wet and icy. This wash preps the vehicles prior to going through the tunnel. Normally there would be two employees on either side of the vehicle prepping but, since volume was down, there was only one. This created a hazardous condition where the employee had to navigate back and forth in front of the vehicle over the conveyor. In these conditions an employee is at risk of slipping under or being run over by the vehicle. Using one of these automated prepping systems could mitigate the chances of an employee being seriously injured.

I can't remember a time when I have come away from any learning opportunity without out one really good idea or new perspective. As car washes across the country wrestle with the downturn in the economy, crazy weather patterns and what many operators consider an overly saturated market, it's unimaginable anyone can afford to miss the opportunity to gain knowledge. Because if you are not willing to, I am certain your competitor will be.

YouTube video of employee slipping on conveyor >>>

Does the Glove Fit?

2011-01-04T17:39:00.000-08:00

I reached out to Al West, North East Sales Manager at Simoniz USA, Inc. (http://www.simoniz.com/) for additional PPE information.

Al writes - Thanks for asking me to research the answer to your blog readers question ‘Are there differences between one type of glove and another in terms of safety when handling chemicals?’.

I spoke with our lab tech's and our plant/safety manager. They told me, unfortunately there are thousands of types of material for chemical protection in gloves, there are specific materials designed to handle alkaline and different materials designed for acids. There is also material that handles both - these would be considered the highest quality glove.

They said the most important factor in protection is the "Rate of Permeation". Typical gloves that we buy at CVS or Home Depot etc. can be as low as an hour or two. This presents the biggest risk in safety as people could be using gloves that may be keeping their hands clean yet not truly giving any protection.

The gloves we use have a rate of permeation at around Two Weeks, that's big. We buy "Ansell" gloves model "Sol-Knit Nitrile Glove". We buy these from Graingers. Hey every Car Wash guy knows Graingers (http://www.graingers.com/) they are a great source for so many things.

Ansell also has excellent disposable gloves that would give excellent protection to our industry - models "Touch N Tuff" and "Micro Touch EP". You can check out their website http://www.ansellpro.com/.

Thanks Al I appreciate your team’s expert advice.

Dismemberment at a Car Wash!

2010-12-06T18:25:00.000-08:00

At a car wash in mid-west a machine called an industrial centrifuge extractor was being used to dry towels. An employee had his arm pulled from his torso when he reached into the extractor while the internal drum was still spinning. As a result of an inspection conducted after the accident three citations were issued by the Secretary of State. One issue before the Commission alleged that there was a willful violation of an OSHA machine guarding standard. The Secretary imposed a penalty of $28,000 for the violation. So not only do we have a catastrophic injury to an employee but in addition to the insurance payout the wash incurred the following costs; loss of business, loss of a valued employee, cost to retrain a new employee, personnel cost to process the paperwork, loss of productivity due to moral and the $28,000 penalty. In this particular case safeguards were circumvented and proper training was absent.

Another case in point, an employee took a short cut through the tunnel. As he was exiting, the intake vent on the blower sucked the jacket he was carrying up in to the machinery tearing his arm from his shoulder. Although there was a guard it was inadequately designed to prevent this terrible incident.

In both of these cases the outcome was a successful limb reattachment, however, they would never have the full use. With the proper training both incidents could have been avoided altogether. It is imperative that all employees understand the dangers associated with car wash machinery. Repetitive training for both new and existing employees is an absolute if you are to maintain a safe environment.

Train....Train....Train!

Winter Conditions Can Cause Serious Injuries!

2010-11-07T15:30:00.000-08:00

Here are some tips and/or reminders to help prevent slips and falls during the winter months:

Maintain Salt Logs at each location.
Move garbage receptacles at self serve washes next to the bays to minimize customer walking exposure.
Use signage to direct customers to walk on areas of the wash that are designed to accommodate pedestrian traffic.
Be sure all underground heating is in good working order for both the bays and aprons around the wash.
Check all gutters - are in good repair and directing runoff to areas of the wash devoid of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Whenever possible offer cover for areas where there are customer change and vending machines.
Inspect bays daily for any ice build up.
Check weeping systems - are they causing excess icing on the bay floors?
Extra salting may be needed where over spray occurs.
Be sure employees are wearing proper foot wear and clothing.
Only use approved portable heating devices and position them away from combustible materials at all times.
Identify areas of the wash where morning sun is prevalent whit shade in the afternoon. This scenario tends to create black ice and require more salting than other spots on the property.
At the exit of the wash, inspect all areas where excess run off from the vehicles can create dangerous slipping exposures. Some samples are; vacuum stations, sidewalks, detailing and where the cars enter the public roads. If the distance from the exit to the road is short, you may want to consider rerouting to allow more time for the dripping water to drain. This way you can keep it under your control.
Surveillance cameras are always a good idea to help prevent fraudulent cases.
If a slip occurs, a photo of the area as well as documentation and maintenance logs are very important.
All exterior ramps and stairs should have approved railings.

Feel free to add to the list with a comment.....And rembember a little extra effort could go a long way!

Electricity can KILL!

2010-10-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

Some years ago a young worker at an automatic wash was asked by a manager to remove a defective motor. He had disconnected it from the three wires that were supplying the power but unfortunately unaware that the actual power circuit was not de-energized he continued with the motor removal - at the same time a car entered the tunnel automatically activating the power resulting death by electrocution. He died instantly.

Electricity is an integral part of the everyday life at a carwash. It is imperative that all employees recognize the dangerous circumstances that surround electrical power. With that in mind it is essential to train any employee who may work on any electrical power source. OSHA mandates that all operators have a lock out/ tag out program in place at each location. This is intended to insure that there are proper procedures for shutting down the equipment while maintenance is occurring, so that it can not be unexpectedly started. Your agent or loss control representative will be able to help you design this plan for each of your locations.

Note that OSHA also requires a system for the use of ladders. I am aware of an incident where an employee took it upon himself to fix a potential problem. He used a ladder at the facility to investigate some loose wiring and was severally burned as a result. OSHA requires a written program for ladders at your carwash. One of those requirements is keeping the ladders secured and locked, accessible to trained managers only. In this case the employee was neither a manager nor trained to preform the task. Had this mandated procedure been in place this loss could have been avoided.

Yet another example of ladder misuse ended in a $2million dollar payout. A subcontractor borrowed the carwashes ladder to inspect some roof equipment rather than using his own. As it turned out the ladder he borrowed was defective and resulted in a serious back injury. Aagin had the written and secure procedure been in place this injury could have been avoid.

What are your procedures when it comes to ladders and electricty.....share it with us!

Personal Protective Equipment Basics - Part 2

2010-10-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

Many of you may remember a few years ago when a young female employee lost her fingers due to exposure to HF (Hydrofluoric Acid). In this particular instance the accident occurred because the acid was already inside the glove via transfer spillage. The point is, having the right protection is only part of the preventive measures necessary for safety. Keep this in mind as you review the items listed below.

Hand Protection: The one thing to remember with gloves is there is no one glove that provides protection for every type of hazard. Knowing both the hazard you are guarding against, and the type of protection required ensures you will properly protect your hands in all circumstances. Most gloves are designed for a specific hazard or task.

Gloves used for chemical protection are not good for general tasks or with every type of chemical. Just because a glove is right for one type of chemical doesn’t mean it is good with every chemical. It is important to match the right glove to the right chemical.

General work gloves, such as leather gloves, are good for protection against cuts, slivers and blisters, but won’t protect against electrical shock or chemical exposure. Leather gloves are good when handling rough work or material.

Cut-resistant gloves are designed to improve the employee’s grip when holding oily metal parts and to protect hands against metal burrs or other cut hazards. They won’t provide protection against corrosive chemicals.

The important thing to remember about gloves is there is no one glove that will guard against every hazard. Depending on your job, you may need more than one pair of gloves to guard against different types of hazards.

Eye and Face Protection: Eye and face protective equipment provides the user with good protection when worn properly. When equipment doesn’t fit well, it will not provide proper protection and may cause a greater hazard. Adjust all safety equipment to your size so it fits properly and will protect you. Safety glasses must have side shields that are mounted to the frame. The glasses themselves should be adjusted so they fit properly around your ears and on your nose so they don’t keep sliding down. Face shields provide protection for the whole face where glasses only protect the eyes. They have adjustment ratchets on the headband that must be adjusted to the individual user’s head. Goggles provide good protection for eyes against dusts and mists. They should be adjusted properly so they fit snug on your face and there are no gaps between the goggle and your face. Vented goggles help to prevent goggles from fogging up in warm locations.

Foot Protection: Obviously the slip and fall hazard around carwashes is substantial. Be sure that all employees footwear is designed for best traction in a wet environment. Keep in mind that shoes can loose their traction value with wear and even though they look acceptable they may not be.

Summary
There are many different types of personal protective equipment that will help keep you safe. Make sure you are always wearing the right equipment for the right job. Make sure all the equipment is adjusted properly and that you keep all the protective equipment clean. Never use any equipment that is broken or is not working properly. Damaged protective equipment provides no protection at all.

Personal Protective Equipment Basics

2010-09-21T17:09:00.000-07:00

Part I

Introduction
Personal protective equipment is used because there is some type of hazard that has been identified that cannot be eliminated or controlled through other means. Simply stated, when there are personal protective equipment requirements, it means there is a hazard that may cause individuals injury and failing to use the prescribed equipment puts them in potential danger.

First Line of Defense
Personal protective equipment should NOT be the first line of defense against identified hazards. Make every attempt to engineer the problem away so protective equipment is not necessary. When you can’t fully eliminate or control the hazard, then require protective equipment as part of your safety policy.

When and Where Protection is Required
Assess all the work areas to find the hazards that are there, or might be there, and then make protective equipment decisions based on those assessments. This is an ongoing process to make sure you are always current and always aware of the hazards of your car wash work environment. Require supervisors to keep you informed of the type of protective equipment for each wash location or the specific jobs being performed.

Proper Use of Personal Protective Equipment
No protective equipment is good unless it is sized right and fitting properly. This may sound elementary, but everything from gloves to shoes to glasses to goggles must fit the right way in order for it to properly protect. Be sure to have your employees take some time to make sure all the protective equipment is the right size. If some equipment doesn’t fit in the right way, it’s not doing you any good at all… and that’s a situation you certainly want to avoid.

Limitations of Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment is effective when it is used as designed. For instance, not all gloves protect against all hazards; leather gloves provide good protection against cuts and slivers but do nothing for chemical safety. Safety glasses protect your eyes but not the rest of your face. For each type of personal protective equipment, it is important to know what it will guard against, and what it won’t do.

Care and Maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment that is not properly maintained will not last long and will not continue to protect the user. In fact, poorly maintained equipment can be a greater hazard; glasses that are dirty create visibility problems, chemical gloves with pin holes will allow chemicals to touch your skin and shoes held together by tape won’t protect your feet and will create trip hazards. Before each use require your employees to inspect equipment for problems, and when they are done using the gear, clean it up so it is ready for the next use.

Personal Protective Equipment Must be Accessible
Not long ago a carwash operator with many years of experience approached me with about a situation that could have been disastrous. He explained while he was in the equipment room transferring a chemical the container slipped causing the chemical to splash across the side of his face, just missing his eyes. Fortunately he was able to wash himself down quickly avoiding serious injury. Though he normally uses protective wear it was not where it belonged so rather than take the time to search for it he elected to take the chance. According to him it is one that he will never take again. The thought of coming that close to loosing his eyesight was a sobering experience. So one more tip for you is to be sure the personal protective equipment is easily accessible and simple to find. You know your employees if it is not right there they will not use it.

Carwash Driving Tips that could save a life!

2010-08-31T16:08:00.000-07:00

Many of you are painfully aware of the history of SUV incidences that have resulted in fatalities, major injuries and significant loss of property. Throughout my 15 year tenure in this industry I have accumulated a few helpful tips that could mitigate the chances of this happening at your wash.

CAR WASH DRIVING TIPS

1. Only designated drivers (other than managers) are permitted to operate a customer’s vehicle.

2. All designated drivers must have a valid driver’s license.

3. All drivers must have a minimum 3 years of driving experience.

4. It is recommended that all drivers wear distinguishing clothing so the management team can easily identify them.

5. Any handicapped or modified vehicles should only be driven by a manager or a driver specifically trained to do so.

6. All drivers should be required to pass a driving test administered by the owner or manager.

7. Each quarter, all drivers should attend a mandatory drivers safety meeting. All of those in attendance should be required to sign off indicating date and time of each meeting. (Download meeting attendance sheet.)

8. The owner should require all new drivers to present a copy of their drivers’ abstract from Motor Vehicles. This procedure should also be required of current drivers on an annual basis.

9. It is recommended that, if employees clean rugs at the entrance to the wash that they replace both front carpets on the passenger’s side until the vehicle is ready to be returned to the customer. This will eliminate accidentally placing them on the gas pedal.

10. The employee should start all SUV vehicles only when it is in park.

In addition I would suggest training the employees driving the vehicle off the conveyor to keep their hands on the ignition switch as an added precaution. This will help remind them to turn the vehicle off if a sudden acceleration should occur. Some washes also utilize the hazard flashers to alert employees when SUV vehicles are going through the tunnel.

During very busy days I know the temptation is to use all available employees for driving but those are the days when things are most likely to go awry. Please seriously consider always using only dedicated experienced and trained drivers exiting the conveyor at the very least. And always refrain from using youthful operators.

Many jurisdictions allow unlicensed drivers to operate a vehicle on private property. However, we had an instance some years ago where an unlicensed driver lost control of a car due to a malfunctioning gas pedal. It crossed four lanes of traffic and was lucky enough to only sustain vehicle damage without any bodily injuries. The unlicensed driver was not so lucky. Since the driver was now on a public road they were arrested on the spot. Another negative outcome was that even though this loss occurred as a result of the customer's vehicle malfunction the wash was 100% responsible. There was no defence once an illegal act is committed such as driving without a license.

If the Wash's exit opens out towards a public highway it is important to install approved barrier to prevent the vehicle from inadvertently accelerating into traffic.

Exterior car washes can also pose problems that could cause fatalities, personal injury and damaged property. Part of a successful safety management plan should include assisting the customers driving vehicles. This is often overlooked and can be solved with a few simple steps.

1. Train your employees to note any drivers that seem uncomfortable going into the wash. Most often these will be senior citizens who can be distracted or confused easily. In these instances it would be prudent to have the employee offer a designated driver manage the vehicle through the wash for the customer.

2. At the Wash's exit be sure that the instructions are clear as to what a vehicle driver should do as they exit. i.e. Stop, go, traffic lights, arrows directing traffic etc.

Please share your driving tips with us by posting a comment with the link below.

What you don't know can hurt you!

2010-08-24T17:27:00.000-07:00

One of the most dangerous operations at the car wash is handling and use of chemicals. An important aspect that is often overlooked is proper labeling.

Each label describes the contents of the chemical, how to safely handle and apply it, and general safety practices (first aid)for that particular container's contents. It will also identify any dangerous ingredients. Unfortunately very often labels are damaged during product transfer and general wear & tear. Therefore it is important to periodically check not only the drum labels but all container labels too. If they are damaged, it can be easily replaced by the supplier. We recently paid a large 5 figure claim due to a container that looked like pretreat bug spray but was really a caustic chemical. The employee applied the spray to the vehicle resulting in destroying the entire body of the car. The only solution to the claim was a brand new car. So, not only is having the labels displayed where they can be easily seen and readable a smart idea, it is an OSHA requirement. Also, do not ignore hand held bottles - it could be a costly mistake! Even though many of the contents of the spray bottles are generally harmless and easily recognized by the employees, on a busy day someone helping out may not be familiar with the product and that's generally when a problem arises.

Proper labeling should also include another OSHA requirement, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). OSHA mandates that you maintain a copy of this document for every chemical used at the wash in a binder located in an easily accessible area. This is a part of your HAZCOM plan which is where you need to comply with the standard that requires identification of all chemicals in use to your employees. These are provided by the chemical manufacturer free of charge for each chemical you purchase. My tip is - in addition to meeting this OSHA standard, affix a plastic sleeve to each container with a few copies of the MSDS for quick and easy access in the event of an emergency. A few years ago an employee was rushed to the hospital after accidentally splashing a chemical in his eye. A quick thinking manager grabbed the MSDS sheet for the physician to refer to. After treating the employee the Dr. explained to the manager that had he not provided the MSDS to him, the original procedure he had planned to follow, would have caused permanent damage to the the employee's eye. I also recommend that you provide copies of the MSDS documents to your local fire department. This knowledge can assist firefighters in their effort to more safely respond to the scene and it could help them control any potential pollution to the local environment as well.

As you know many times it is the simplest or seemingly the most obvious that gets overlooked. Chemicals are a big part of your daily activities. Sometimes this can lead to routine which in turn leads to becoming less aware of the safety issues associated with the handling of these products. Let this be a friendly reminder to take a step back and be sure everything is as is should be.

What story can you share that help your wash with chemical safety?

A safe wash protects people and profits!

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

2010-08-17T17:12:00.000-07:00

To coin a phrase, Benjamin Franklin's quote tells us that the investment in preventive safety management saves money! The average cost due to theft at many carwashes is $25,000. 80% of that loss is damage to either the building or carwash equipment, not the loss of actual currency.

Most carwashes have a minimum $1,000 deductible which is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes this kind of loss. Consider, an important hidden cost is the decrease in volume due to the communities perception that your location is now unsafe. Finally add to that the increase in premium you will most likely experience on renewal from the insurance company. This incident has now resulted in a large out of pocket direct expense.

There are some very cost effective solutions to minimize these expenses to both you and your insurance company. One example is, for the cost of the average deductible, you can install shock and vibration sensors. These will be very effective if your wash has automated tellers. Many of the newer machines are equipped with these devices pre-installed, however, unfortunately most are not connected when setup. You can also retro fit machines that do not have sensor devices pre-installed. (Check out Safeco Alarms for more information.) If you have this exposure my advice is to at the least wire them to a local alarm. The majority of these types of thefts are spur of the moment looking for an easy target. A local siren or alarm eliminates that scenario. If possible I would also suggest tying it to a central station alarm if you have it. The local alarm prevents the immediate damage to the equipment while the central station will hopefully keep them from coming back at a later time. To help reduce the cost of this installation do your own wiring. Sensor applications could also be applied to change machines, vending machines and vacuums.

Other safety considerations would be; superior lighting, developing a rapport with the local police, video surveillance and plenty of security signage.

In these economic times more and more of these crimes are being committed. Even if you have not been effected by this yet the odds are sooner or later it could happen to you. Don't be a victim.

What really good things have you done at your wash to prevent crime?

Motorcycle slides into intersection!

2010-08-09T17:02:00.000-07:00

A number of years ago we paid a claim when a motorcycle was unable to stop at an intersection just past a carwash. The driver sustained serious injuries. As a result of the accident investigation, engineers were able to determine a significant amount of residue had been deposited on the lane exiting the carwash through to the intersection when compared to the opposite side of the road. This condition was a major contributing factor involving the carwash in the suit as a defendant, which subsequently resulted in a judgement.

There are a few lessons that can be learned from this particular loss as well as other hazardous conditions that can be avoided regarding slippery surfaces. One example is, many carwashers elect to use silicon based tire dressing, as opposed to water based, which without properly addressing the surface issues can increase the risk of accidents such as this.

As a car exits the tunnel, the residue is transferred not only to road surfaces beyond the carwash but all too often to public areas at the carwash. Some examples are common walkways used to vacuum the vehicles, discard garbage, offline detailing and access to vending machines. Left untreated an unsafe condition for both employees and customers is the result.

Another example of transfer would be if you have a short span from the exit of the carwash to the public roadways, investigate alternative routes to allow more time for runoff. You may also consider a downhill slope with a drain at the end of the exit ramp. Work with your local transportation department for possible assistance in this regard.

I would also suggest a routine maintenance schedule be implemented. It is often best to document each time the employee cleans/maintains the area including where, when and how. In areas of the country where freezing can be a concern a simple tool was developed to keep track each time salt was applied to control ice buildup. Download/preview 'Salt Log' this is an example that may be helpful or that you could modify to your own specifications.

Share your suggestions on how you were able to improve slippery conditions associated with carwashing.

One death is too many!

2010-08-03T16:53:00.000-07:00

Over the past 15 years I have administered the National Carwash Insurance Program. During that time I have experienced three death claims. Even though this is the most extreme consequence to the many hazardous operations at carwashes, it should impress upon us the importance of safety for both your customers and your employees.

We have to take that first step if there is any chance of providing a safe environment for all. This is the impetus for my blog. To get the word out to as many operators as possible that the time is now to be proactive and develop your own safety action plan.

At a recent meeting of over 150 operators I asked the question, "How many in this room have any kind of safety plan?" Less than 5 people raised their hand.

The intent of this blog is to offer you simple solutions to begin your 'Safety Management Program'. Let's get started.

Buy yourself a binder to collect your safety tips in. You can find these here on my blog or Professional Carwash & Detailing, ICA - Safety Resources, NRCC Claims Categories & Preventive Actions and CarWash College to name just a few.

Implement monthly safety meetings where you discuss these tips and hold trainings for your employees on best safety practices. I have created a few documents that will help you get started; Safety Meeting Agenda Sheet and Safety Meeting Roll Call Sheet . Helpful hint - use one of your newer employees to run the meeting.....wait let me explain. What I have found is that most often they have not had time to create bad habits and they often will pick up on things to that may be overlooked by your seasoned employees.

Do you have a safety tip that you would like to share?