It's the little things that counts!

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!

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.