What to Expect During a Car Wash OSHA Inspection
Car wash businesses have certain safety standards and regulations they must adhere to, just like other businesses. Part of the process to ensure car wash regulations and safety standards are being maintained is with an Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) inspection.
When Do OSHA Inspections Occur?
It is essential to remember OSHA inspections are frequently unscheduled. Therefore, the inspector will show up at your car wash unannounced. As such, it is imperative to verify your car wash is following all car wash regulations and safety standards all the time.
Other Reasons for Car Wash OSHA Inspections
While most inspections are periodic and unannounced, other OSHA inspections can occur for a variety of reasons based on these OSHA inspection priorities:
If you feel that an OSHA inspection is needed. You may have installed new wash equipment, made some renovations, or are using different wash chemicals.
You recently experienced multiple workplace severe injuries or fatalities. When multiple employees or customers experience severe injuries or death, it can trigger an OSHA inspection.
There is a situation that creates an imminent danger. For example, you, your employees, or customers were exposed to hazardous or toxic chemicals.
Your employees have filed complaints of health hazards and safety issues. When OSHA receives multiple employee complaints, they will conduct an inspection.
Your customers have filed complaints about health hazards and safety issues. Besides your employees, customer complaints to OSHA can also trigger an inspection.
Your car wash requires a follow-up inspection. Follow-up inspections can occur when you have one or more OSHA violations that you need to correct. The OSHA inspector will return to verify you have corrected the violation and your car wash is now compliant.
A local government agency requested an inspection. Police, fire, and other local municipality agencies can request OSHA conduct an inspection of your car wash. For example, they could request an OSHA inspection before you open for business.
OSHA Inspection Process Phase 1
The first phase of the OSHA inspection process is to conduct an opening conference with you and your employees. During this conference, the investigator will explain the reason for the inspection. In addition, they will inform you of any records, documents, or other information they need you to provide.
OSHA Inspection Process Phase 2
The next phase of the OSHA inspection process is to do a walkthrough of your car wash. The inspector will examine all wash equipment, vacuums, lighting, storage areas, and any “employee only” areas, like the room where the wash chemicals are mixed before being pumped to the wash equipment.
It is a good idea to assign two employees to accompany the investigator during their walkthrough car wash inspection. One employee should be familiar with all aspects of the car wash, wash equipment, etc. The other employee can be one of your regular employees. Their job is to take notes and pictures of anything the inspector points out or says something is in violation.
OSHA Inspection Process Phase 3
The last part of the OSHA inspection process is a closing conference. The inspector will meet with you to review any violations or issues they found at your car wash. They will also discuss whether they are going to issue citations and any proposed penalties. This is your last chance to provide any documentation or explanations that could offset the proposed penalties.
Car Wash Legal Requirements After an OSHA Inspection
You are required by law to post the citation and penalty report in an area where employees and customers can easily see the notification. You must also take steps to resolve any violations within the specified time. Furthermore, any penalties must be paid, usually within 15 business days after being given notice.
You can appeal the inspector’s findings. However, you only have 15 business days to submit your appeal. If you do not submit it on time, you can no longer appeal the findings.
Last, OSHA will issue an official report within six months of the initial visit. The report will also detail the types of violations and proposed penalties and the deadline for resolving any issues.
If you have already resolved the issues long before receiving the official report, you can request a follow-up visit if the inspector did not already schedule one.
Common OSHA Violations
For car wash owners, the most common citations were related to these top five violations:
There was a lack of written procedures for lockout and tagout safety processes.
No written hazard communications were onsite, or employees did not know where they were stored.
There were insufficient eyewash stations.
Electrical safety violations were found in the equipment rooms.
There was a failure to provide PPE or the lack of PPE use or improper use of PPE.
Tips for a Great OSHA Inspection
Since OSHA inspections are usually unannounced, the best way to be prepared for one and have a great car wash inspection is by using these tips:
Provide ongoing employee training and refreshers on the latest OSHA regulations and safety requirements.
Stay current on all OSHA car wash regulations.
Maintain all wash equipment, vacuums, lighting, and electrical systems.
Verify employees have reviewed and know where hazard communications are stored.
Provide any necessary PPE, enforce its use in hazardous locations, and confirm employees are trained on how to use the PPE correctly.
Store all hazardous chemicals in the proper storage locations and containers while making sure they are properly labeled.
Car Wash Parts & Accessories at Wholesale Prices
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