It should go without saying that as a car wash owner or operator, your top priority is to ensure the safety of your employees and customers. Offering a safe car wash also impacts the success of your business.
Are you doing everything you can to deliver the safest experience possible to your employees and customers? Here we will review some car wash safety best practices you should have in place at your business.
Mechanical System Safety
Car wash systems have a lot of moving parts, and it’s important to keep all these systems in good working order.
Assemble a daily checklist for your employees. Before your car wash opens for the day, ensure your employees complete the checklist. Consider including the following:
- Inspect for leaks. This includes leaks from hoses and other equipment.
- Ensure all monitors and gauges are in good working order.
- Scan your equipment. Look for any parts that are loose or have fallen off. Listen for any irregular sounds and inspect right away.
- Make sure hoses are out of the way of the tunnel.
- Check that lighting, cameras, and any other security equipment are working.
Clearly label all equipment and identify any hazards. Train your employees how to deal with any emergencies that may arise.
Train your employees on your company’s Lockout-tagout Procedures. These LOTO procedures are required by law to keep your employees safe. Offer the necessary training to employees and refresh often.
Know who to call for repairs. When your car wash needs repair, make sure your employees know who to call. Minimize your car wash’s downtime and maximize the safety of your employees and customers by establishing a trusted company for parts and repairs. Reliable Plus has service technicians trained to work on all types of vehicle wash equipment, regardless of brand.
Chemical Safety
The chemicals used in a car wash pose their own safety hazards. Train your staff on the correct procedures for handling these chemicals to reduce injury and damage to equipment.
Offer extensive training. All employees should be knowledgeable about each chemical used at your car wash: What it does, where it goes, proper storage, etc. Need help with the details? Our team of Reliable Plus Chemical Specialists are here to assist you.
Provide appropriate safety gear. Give your employees the right tools to protect themselves while working with chemicals. This may include safety goggles, face shields, gloves, and other skin protection.
Label hazardous chemicals. Don’t reuse or repurpose containers- store chemicals only in their original containers. Our team can assist you in ensuring everything is labeled properly and with empty container recycling options.
Have clear procedures in place in case of an emergency. Have your emergency phone numbers clearly posted within the car wash. Keep all chemical Safety Data Sheets (SDS) easily accessible. In case of exposure, these are helpful for medical staff to know what they’re dealing with and finding the best course of treatment.
Employee Safety
Protect your number one asset: your hardworking employees! In addition to everything we’ve already mentioned, here are a few more ways to keep your employees safe while on the job.
Offer thorough and frequent training opportunities. The best way to protect your employees from an accident is to prevent it in the first place. By teaching your employees the industry best practices, you keep them safe.
Follow all OSHA standards. It is your responsibility by law to provide your employees with a safe work environment. Find more information about OSHA and your responsibilities as an employer here.
Enforce general safety guidelines. Teach proper lifting techniques. Keep walkways clear to reduce tripping hazards. Have an appropriate dress code or uniform. Talk about proper supply storage. Don’t forget to emphasize the basics when talking about safety with your staff; these seemingly small safety tips have a huge impact on safety.
Customer & Vehicle Safety
You want to keep your customers and their vehicles safe while they use your car wash. Giving your customers clear, simple instructions and limiting their options while in the car wash is an easy way to do that. It also protects your equipment from damage caused by customers.
- Keep entrances clear for easy access.
- Use bright signage that is easy to read in any weather condition.
- Post and enforce speed limits.
Use a consistent flow of traffic around the car wash. - Post signage alerting customers to the risk of damage to their vehicle from loose parts, after-market items, etc.
Reliable Safety
While this is not an exhaustive list, these car wash safety tips will help keep your employees, customers, and equipment safe. Reach out to the experts at Reliable Plus to keep your equipment running in tip-top shape, which reduces the risk of accidents. We have experienced technicians and planned maintenance programs that can help identify areas for improved safety at your car wash. Get in touch today!
