Reception, Inspection, and Enrollment of Vehicle

Communicate electronically with customers as much as possible. Make arrangements in advance with the vehicle owner/ your customer with the exact time the car will be ready for pick-up. This step will help minimize the number of people and time spent in the waiting room. As a courtesy, provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) for customers as they walk into the shop. Greet customers with a wave while avoiding handshakes. Recommend a plexiglass barrier between receptionist and customer. Arrange wait room to help maintain social distance between customers (e.g., space chairs).

Practice social distancing, proper hand washing, and avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, and mouth). If you must cough, use your elbow and face the opposite direction of any people. Be sure to stay at home if you are sick. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before and after eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. (If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. (Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty).

• Install recommended hygiene posters (available on WHO or CDC websites) in common areas around the shop to keep recommended hygiene practices visible for employees and customers. Regularly clean high-touch surfaces and high- traffic areas of the shop using soap and water, then use an EPA registered disinfectant* that is appropriate for the various surfaces. Follow instructions on the disinfectant product label to ensure safe and effective use of the product, including recommended contact-time and reapplication requirements.
• Examples of high-touch surfaces include: exterior and interior building door handles, bathroom knobs, handles and faucets, desktop and computer equipment, and phones and cell phones.
• Examples of high-traffic areas of the shop include: waiting rooms, kitchen and break areas and other common areas. Remind each shop employee or technician to wipe down shared tools or equipment with disinfectant after use.
• As best practice, employers should consider establishing alternating days or extra shifts that reduce the total number of employees in a facility at a given time. This allows staff to maintain a safe distance from one another while giving shops the opportunity for a full onsite work week. Whenever possible, discourage workers from using other workers’ phones, desks, offices, or other tools and equipment.

Based on your role in the shop, be sure to wear the proper personal protection equipment (PPE). The types of PPE required during a COVID-19 pandemic will be based on the risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 while working and job tasks that may lead to exposure. When selecting PPE, consider factors such as function, fit, decontamination ability, disposal, and cost. Each employer should select the combination of PPE that protects workers specific to the workplace. PPE may be required to reduce exposures to the disinfectant used. Refer to the SDS for recommended PPE. Inspect PPE for defects or damage prior to use.

Clean all high-touch surfaces of the vehicle using soap and water, then use an EPA registered disinfectant* that is appropriate for the vehicle’s various substrates and surfaces. Follow instructions on the disinfectant product label to ensure safe and effective use of the product, including recommended contact-time and reapplication requirements. Test the disinfectant on an inconspicuous area of the surfaces to ensure that it is compatible with the surface.

Note: reference vehicle manufacturer website / owner’s manual for guidance on product suitability.

Examples of high-touch surfaces of the vehicles include:
 

• • Keys and/or key FOB
  • Start/stop buttons
  • Exterior & interior door handles
  • Steering wheel
  • Door trim
  • Switches and buttons
  • Wiper & headlight controls
  • Center console along with armrests
  • Any window/seat/mirror controls
  • Rear-view mirror
  • Seatbelt buckles and anchors
  • Gear selector
  • Radio
  • HVAC areas

  Use caution when cleaning and applying disinfectant to sensitive surfaces such as touchscreen displays and refer to the owner’s manual for directions for cleaning sensitive surfaces.

Once repair area(s) have been defined, be sure to clean the repair area, then use an EPA registered disinfectant* that is appropriate for the repair area before work begins. Follow instructions on thedisinfectant product label to ensure safe and effective use of the product, including recommended contact-time and reapplication requirements. Test the disinfectant on an inconspicuous area of the surfaces to ensure that it is compatible with the surface.

Note: reference vehicle manufacturer website / owner’s manual for guidance on product suitability.

When explaining the repair estimate to customer, maintain proper social distancing. Whenever possible, avoid passing back and forth too much paper (i.e., written estimate documents, leaflets, brochures, or booklets). Look for ways to review the estimate and send communication electronically. Schedule or book the appointment for vehicle repair electronically. Communicate the exact time of the vehicle pick-up to help reduce the time spent waiting.

Once estimate is complete, clean and use an EPA registered disinfectant* on all areas of contact while estimate was performed with the same method used for the relevant substrate prior to repair.