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DETAIL DOCTOR Safe & Clean Outlining the necessary safety tips when using disinfectants and sanitizers Bud Abraham is Founder and President Emeritus of DETAIL PLUS Car Appearance Systems, with more than 40 years of experience in the car care industry as a manufacturer, operator, distributor and consultant. He writes articles and gives seminars on the subject of auto detailing throughout the automotive industry. He can be reached at buda@detailplus.com. By Bud Abraham buda@detailplus.com The last couple of years should have taught astute detail business owners that they need to clean with caution... Without a doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way detailers think about germs, sanitizing and disinfecting, that is if they ever thought about these things in the first place. As we move into the post-pandemic world, it is important that detailers retain any knowledge they might have learned over the past couple of years about preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and retaining the best practices they’ve learned. Everyone working in the detail industry should have learned the differences between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting. If anyone has not, then go to the websites of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Be sure to keep in mind that when it comes to killing germs the following processes involve three actions to achieve three different levels of cleaning. TAKING ACTION: REMOVE, REDUCE OR KILL? ACTION #1: Cleaning Cleaning removes germs, dirt and other impurities from surfaces but it does not kill germs. Cleaning works by using shampoo and water to physically remove germs from a surface. ACTION #2: Sanitizing Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on a surface by reducing the germs to levels considered safe by public health standards or requirements. ACTION #3: Disinfecting Disinfecting kills germs by using chemicals directly on the surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean a dirty surface or remove germs, but by killing the germs on the surface after cleaning it, disinfection can lower the risk of spreading infectious germs. CHEMICAL SAFETY Anti-Microbial disinfectants can be very effective in killing harmful viruses and bacteria in vehicle interiors. However, it is important for every detail professional who uses these products — and the customers that occupy the vehicle interior — that certain precautions are always taken and that these products are used in accordance with the manufacturer's label instructions, which, by the way, are reviewed and approved by the EPA. The following are some safety tips you can implement when using cleaning chemicals: ✔ ✔ Read, read, read: Be absolutely certain that anyone using or even handling disinfectant chemicals are familiar with the directions for use as indicated on the product label. And make sure they understand what they read. Too often employees read the instructions but, for whatever reason, do not really understand what they read. Remember these instructions have been carefully developed by the chemical manufacturers, and reviewed by Federal Regulators. Follow the rules: Be sure you know if the manufacturer indicates that personal protective equipment should be used. In many cases the directions will advise that the product should be used in a wellventilated space. Disregarding label instructions or attempting to ✔ ✔ ✔ take shortcuts can result in serious consequences for both the owner and the employee. Keep in mind that the Labor Board in your state most often sides with the employee in the case of on-the-job employee accidents, not the employer. Clean it up: If you spill any disinfectant, clean it up immediately, no matter how small the spill. Also, do not attempt to put any spilled product back into the original container, which can contaminate the entire container. Instead, clean up the spill and properly dispose of the contaminated chemical. Have container awareness: Never remove disinfectants, or other chemicals for that matter, and put into unlabeled containers. This can result in accidental and improper use of the chemical, which can have serious and harmful consequences. If you do place any chemical product in any other smaller container be certain to photocopy the label that contains the name and instructions for use on the smaller container. Look around: Before using a disinfectant check to ensure there are no open flames, exposed food or any other consumables. Also be certain that all employees 22 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | VOL. 6, NO. 3 • FALL 2021
✔ ✔ who might come in contact with the disinfectant are wearing the appropriate protective equipment, if applicable. Wash up: Make certain you and all employees who have used the disinfectant wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after working with the disinfectant, even if gloves or other protective clothing during application of the product were worn. Dilute with care: Follow all instructions regarding the dilution of disinfectant with water as stated on the instruction label. Use water at room temperature unless stated otherwise on the label. Also, do not mix disinfectants with anything other than water. ✔ Make the call: It is vital that any who might be exposed to a disinfectant product through inhalation or ingestion, or who exhibits exposure symptoms, reports the incident to you or the manager who can then call and seek medical attention as needed. CONCLUSION Disinfectants are very effective at killing harmful germs, bacteria viruses, including the COVID-19 and other dangerous pathogens, but it is absolutely necessary that you and your employees carefully read the instructions on the label. There is good money to be made by detail businesses that can properly disinfect and sanitize interiors, but you must know what you are doing. You must use the correct products for the job, and know how to use them properly. This all takes time and effort and training. POISON CONTROL CENTER 1-800-222-1222 Cut this out and place it near your phone: WARNING! If the individual collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or can't be awakened: Call 911 IMMEDIATELY. Not in the US? Use local SWALLOWED POISONS Drink a small amount of water or milk immediately, before getting Poison Control assistance, if: ✔ The product swallowed is burning, irritating or caustic, AND ✔ The person is conscious, not having convulsions, and able to swallow. IN THE EYE It's important that you irrigate (rinse the exposed eyes) immediately. Every second matters and a delay could result in loss of sight. Remove contact lenses. Use lots of room temperature water and irrigate for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Adults and older children may find it easier to hop in the shower. Wrap young children in a towel and let water from the faucet in the kitchen sink run over the eye - or slowly pour water from a pitcher. Let the water hit the bridge of the nose and gently run into the eyes rather than pouring the water directly into the eye. Important: Irrigate for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Encourage blinking. After the 15 to 20 minute irrigation, let the eye rest while you call Poison Control for additional guidance. If irritation, pain, visual problems, redness, swelling, or tearing persist an hour after irrigation is started, you'll need an urgent ophthalmic exam. That means a trip to an urgicenter or emergency room right away, unless an eye doctor can see you immediately. If the symptoms procedures to call Poison Control or summon an ambulance. But before you contact Poison Control, whether by phone or online, there DETAIL DOCTOR are some quick first aid measures that make a difference if accomplished within seconds to minutes of the poison exposure. Be familiar with these steps. are severe, don't wait an hour - go straight to an emergency room after irrigating. ON THE SKIN It's important that you rinse the exposed skin immediately. Remove contaminated clothing first (that's clothing with a spill). Every second matters. Don't delay. Use lots of room temperature running water and rinse for at least 15 minutes. For large spills, adults and older children may find it easiest to hop in the shower. Mild hand soap can be used to remove material that sticks to the skin. Important: Rinse for at least 15 minutes. After the 15 minute rinse, call Poison Control for additional guidance. If blistering, large or deep burns, pain, redness, or swelling worsen or persist, you will need to see a doctor right away. But first call the poison specialists at Poison Control to see whether a trip to an urgicenter or emergency room is urgent or necessary. If the symptoms are severe, go straight to an emergency room after rinsing. Don't wait. INHALED It's important that you move to fresh air immediately. Stay away from all toxic fumes and gases. Thoroughly ventilate the involved area. After moving to fresh air, use webPOISON- CONTROL to get specific recommendations online, or call 1-800-222-1222 for guidan GROW WITH ZIEBART Expand your business offerings, and join our growing list of franchisees with opportunities available in multiple states and countries! Contact us today to see if your desired location is available! PICK YOUR FUTURE TODAY! 1-866-634-4795 Franchise fee waived for U.S. Military Veterans! ziebart.com VOL. 6, NO.3 • FALL 2021 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | 23
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