Establish an Effective Hazardous Communications Program

Protect Your Employees, Customers, and the Environment

by Howco Inc. Safety, Health & Risk Team

Car washes are a dynamic environment and can challenge the most prepared owners and employees. Key areas include maintaining mechanical systems, training employees, and building customer loyalty through effective marketing and service. However, one area of importance that doesn’t always receive the attention it deserves, but can create headaches if improperly managed, is an effective hazardous communications program (HAZCOM).   
Many car wash workers focus on HAZCOM only when OSHA is mentioned. OSHA 1910.1200 requires the program, and without it, you risk citations for non-compliance. Teaching employees about HAZCOM and chemical handling improves your operation’s safety and effectiveness. This education guides PPE purchasing, spill cleanup to protect people and property, and sharing chemical info when requested.

Educated staff treat chemicals as valuable and understand the harm caused if products are mishandled. Most customers see car washes as a sudsy location that cleans their vehicles. A knowledgeable team knows even diluted cleaning chemicals can pose health risks from exposure.

Employers must conduct hazard assessments per OSHA 1910.132 to determine the PPE employees need. An effective HAZCOM program helps staff understand SDS and PPE requirements, protecting them when handling chemicals, especially in concentrated forms. Chemicals usually need PPE, and using the SDS correctly ensures proper protection, especially with corrosive substances. It is much easier to wash off or dispose of PPE than to have an employee injured by something preventable.  

If exposure or injury occurs, team members can quickly follow the HAZCOM program’s proper response steps. The SDS guides treatment for injured employees, including fresh air, first aid, and emergency showers or eyewash use. Paramedics or doctors request an SDS to provide proper care whenever medical responders or hospitals get involved.

Most car washes contain spills internally in a containment area to prevent affecting areas off the property. If a spill occurs outside containment, a good HAZCOM program guides quick action to prevent chemicals entering waterways or sewers. These defensive methods stop spills from contaminating the environment and guide proper hazardous waste disposal. You must notify the proper authorities if a large spill occurs. Effective programs with trained staff prevent accidents, protect people and environment, and reduce downtime and costs for your wash.

An effective program with trained staff helps prevent accidents, protect people and the environment, and reduce downtime and operational costs. Performing an annual review ensures your employees have the program they deserve to protect them. You must retain the previous SDS version for 30 years if you replace it.

An effective HAZCOM program may not seem glamorous, but it protects and educates staff handling chemicals. It also helps prevent costly negligence and the OSHA visits operators want to avoid.