Chemical Safety at the Car Wash
Keeping your customers’ vehicles clean requires using various chemicals. Therefore, you and your employees must be aware of the risks of working with chemicals, properly handling them, and using them safely when washing and detailing vehicles.
Cash Wash Safety Tips for Chemicals
It never hurts to review your current chemical safety procedures to ensure you are using the best practices and these car wash safety tips.
Properly Train Your Employees
You need to take the time to schedule car wash safety training for your employees on how to handle, use, and store the various chemicals in use at your car wash. Part of the training should also include verifying they know where the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are stored.
Another part of their training should teach them how to dispose of used chemical drums and containers.
Verify Your MSDS Sheets Are Current
Every four to six months, you should go through your MSDS manual and verify that every sheet is still valid. If you have changed chemicals, update your manual with the new ones and remove any you no longer have on site.
In addition, you can highlight the chemical names and add other information to the sheets to make it easier for employees to find the sheets they need in the event of an accident.
Schedule Regular Updates of Parts that Pump Chemicals
Some chemicals can be corrosive and cause seals, hoses, bearings, and connections to weaken over time. Ensure your car wash maintenance checklist includes inspecting every part and component and replacing them periodically to maintain safety.
Verify Employees Know the Location of First-Aid Supplies
Confirm every employee knows where first-aid supplies are located at your car wash. In addition, you may want to have employees complete first-aid training and certification.
Have a Least One Eye-Wash Station
Your car wash should have at least one eye-wash station in the event an employee gets chemicals in their eyes.
Ensure Signage and Labels Are Current and Accurate
You should have hazard and warning signs in locations where chemicals are stored and used. Furthermore, every container that contains chemicals should be labeled correctly with the chemical name, how it is to be handled and used, and any safety precautions and hazard warnings.
Provide Employees with PPE
You should provide the necessary personal protection equipment (PPE) to your employees, such as:
Goggles
Aprons
Rubber Boots
Nitrile or Neoprene Gloves
Face Masks
Employees should also be required to wear the right shoes to protect their feet and to not wear open-toed shoes, sandals, or flip-flops.
Constantly Educate and Communicate with Your Employees
It is vital that you continue to educate and communicate with your employees to ensure they are following the correct safety procedures. In addition, car wash safety training should be held annually as a refresher course for existing employees.
Please remember these car wash safety tips only provide a general introduction to chemical safety at your car wash and should not be considered an exhaustive list by any means.
Find the Best Car Wash Safety Products for Your Car Wash
It is easy to find car wash safety products, car wash parts, and more at Superior Car Wash Supply. Explore our online store or contact us at 800-554-9274 today.