We haven’t addressed this subject much, but it’s a critically important one. No one wants to have a customer get injured at their wash and experiencing an injury for yourself or an employee is definitely something to be avoided as well.

Let’s look at the bays, vacuuming and detail areas first. If it’s Fall, Winter, or Spring, and you have bays exposed to the elements, you need to have a good working de-icing system. Are the floors in good shape with no heaving which could cause a trip? A slip and fall could not only result in serious injury, but be costly as well. Pay attention now to how well your system is working. Are there any cold spots that may indicate a loop not working properly? If you haven’t drained and recharged your glycol system in quite a few years, make a note to check the strength of it and possibly flush and re-charge in the summer. Look at how your equipment is being used in the bays. Are the customers having difficulty with any of it to the point where it may be a potential risk of injury?

Out in the lot. Are you keeping all areas where driving or walking occur free of snow and ice? Look to see if snow accumulation from ploughing or snow drifting is creating a visibility issue for your customers to get around. Are the vacuuming, detailing, and vending areas easy to get to and use? Don’t forget to check the roof. A sloped roof with no snow dams or eavestrough could drop snow and ice on you or a customer.
Let’s look inside the equipment room. Lots of opportunity for injury here. It’s a car wash so a certain amount of water is not cause for concern. However, a leak somewhere in the system could not only shut down that, or other parts of your equipment, it could cause a problem with slipping and falling. Anytime you notice water somewhere it shouldn’t be, that is worth seriously investigating. Pumping equipment. If some or all of your pumps are driven by belts and pulleys; are there proper belt guards protecting someone from getting fingers of clothing caught in the belts while attempting to check or service equipment. This can't be stressed enough. NEVER touch a belt on an electric motor unless you are absolutely certain the power at the switch and breaker is turned off. Also, of concern in the back room(s) of car washes is clutter. It’s easy to do. Simply toss something aside while you’re busy working on it or something else, with all intentions of getting it cleaned up later, only to trip over it days or weeks later while involved in another serious issue.

It’s really not that difficult to operate safely at the car wash. Pay attention to the little things which not only cause a hazard but make it difficult for your customer to properly use your equipment or you not be able to service it.