Chemical safety protocols and emergency response procedures are a key to running a safe business.  Employee safety is based on knowing how to properly handle chemistry and is key to helping make your car wash operation a safe and healthy place to work.  Chemical hazards are a risk to employee safety and are a responsibility that requires action.

In the U.S., there are roughly 32 million workers who potentially risk being exposed to one or more chemical hazards while on the job. Because of the risk that some chemicals pose, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a Hazard Communication Standard with the goal to ensure employers and employees know about work hazards and how to safely handle chemical products.

The Hazard Communication Standard, “establishes uniform requirements to make sure the hazards of all chemicals imported into, produced, or used in U.S. workplaces are evaluated, and that this information is transmitted to affected employers and exposed employees.”

The Standard incorporates a “downstream flow of information,” which means that chemical manufacturers have the primary responsibility for determining the potential hazards of each product and communicating that information, along with the safe handling and appropriate protective measures, to distributors through detailed product labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS). MSDS provide critical chemical safety information, instructions on proper-use, and company and emergency phone numbers.

Employers are responsible for educating their employees of the potential dangers of any workplace chemicals that they may be exposed to. It is your responsibility to develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive, written hazard communication program that includes container labeling, collection and availability of MSDS and employee training. Reading, understanding and following the MSDS’ carefully are critical in helping keep employees safe.

Personal Protective Equipment

Material data safety sheets contain information about personal protective equipment, or PPE, that are needed for proper usage of a certain chemical, be sure to first read the manufacturers product label for handling instructions. Gloves and eye protection may be needed for concentrated product handling so it’s important to have protective gear on-site and in proper working condition. Your company may provide an emergency shower and eyewash station in areas where chemicals are stored in case of accidental spills or splashes.

Maneuvering & storage are key to safety and voiding chemical hazards. Frequently, chemicals are delivered in large drums and require proper storage space and a watchful eye to make sure there are no leaks. If you are looking to reorganize your storage room, remember to read the MSDS label first to find out what kind of materials you are handling and prepare accordingly.

Attempting to move large drums by hand can be very difficult because the weight of the materials inside may shift.  Make sure to use a forklift, or drum dolly, to reduce the chance of accidents. When storing large drums, it’s best to place them in rows, leaving enough room between each to allow equipment access if needed. It’s important to store highly reactive materials, such as acids and bases, separately to prevent them from coming into contact with one another.

If storage space is limited, ask your chemical supplier about alternatives to the large drums of chemicals. Regardless of the type of chemistry being used, your supplier should provide a service team to work with individual locations to ensure the appropriate dilution is being delivered and the dispensing systems are working properly.

Some companies,  provide a drum recycling program in which empty and rinsed out containers are picked up for re-use and recycling. This provides an opportunity for customers to keep their storage areas better organized by eliminating excess waste onsite and helps prevent the misuse of empty drums.

When considering chemical safety, maintaining a safe environment for all of your employees and customers should always be a top priority, so take the time now to review your safety procedures. Also routinely review safety protocols with your staff to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities. Finally, regularly schedule a thorough inspection of the location where your chemistry is stored to catch any potential hazards. ❖