CAF’s forecourt summer safety plan: Clean sites, safe customers

CAF helps keep your forecourt clean, safe, and compliant this summer with expert tips, training, and solutions for outdoor cleaning safety.

During the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, petrol stations see a surge in traffic — more drivers on the road means more visits, more spills, and more potential hazards. With this uptick in activity, CAF knows maintaining a clean and welcoming outdoor environment becomes not just a matter of appearance, but a critical safety priority. Slippery fuel spills can pose real risks to customers and employees alike.

Now is the ideal time to double down on outdoor cleaning protocols — ensuring your site is not only spotless, but also safe and ready for the busy summer season ahead.

3 Steps to Outdoor Cleaning Safety

1. Assess the Risks
   To create a safety plan, first assess and document any known or potential hazards that could result in an injury or illness. Understanding where and how possible accidents could occur enables you to take proactive measures to prevent them.
   Tip: Many business owners involve their frontline employees in the risk assessment since they have firsthand knowledge of the overt and hidden dangers in their workplaces.
2. Make a Plan & Communicate
   Document your findings or update existing documentation. Ensure the expectations and safety protocols are clear and understood by employees. Keep resources, safety action plans, and checklists in easily accessible, highly visible locations.
3. Ongoing Training
   At a minimum, a safety plan should be reviewed at least once a year to ensure all employees understand proper procedures. It is critical to revisit safety precautions and what to do in an emergency regularly, especially in industries with high employee turnover.

Forecourt Risk Checklist

• Fuel Spills – Fire hazard and slip-and-fall injuries.
• Be Safe and Stay Visible While Cleaning Outdoors – Use safety cones and reflective vests when working in high-traffic areas, especially at spill bucket areas.
• Clean and Maintain Equipment – Ensure equipment is in safe working condition through regular maintenance.
• Squeegee Buckets – Provide customers with access to clean windscreen bucket solutions. This complimentary offering helps ensure vehicles have clear windscreen visibility, improving driver safety while on the road.
• Seasonal Readiness – Prepare for icy weather conditions (to prevent slip-and-fall injuries).

Did you know: "Slips, trips, and falls ranked third among the top employer-related workplace injuries and are the primary cause of lost days from work. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), slips, trips, and falls led to 450,540 work injuries and 865 work-related deaths."

Source: Stephen M. Smith, Smith Law Center 

We encourage everyone to review their location’s safety plans and their staff’s emergency readiness. Do you have the right products and support in place to keep your site safe this summer?

Learn more about how clean equals improved safety or reach out to see how CAF can help.