OSHA Inspection: SPARKLE EXPRESS CAR WASH

Issued

Mar 6, 2026

Abate by

May 15, 2026

Penalty

Initial $6,809 · Current $4,030 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B): Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy.  On or about September 26, 2025, and at times prior, the employer did not develop and use specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, and securing equipment in the Automatic Car Wash Tunnel to control hazardous energy for cleaning and maintenance tasks. As a result, employees are exposed to entanglement, caught-in/crushed-by, amputation, and chemical exposure hazards from the unexpected energization or release of stored energy while performing cleaning and maintenance tasks in the trench/pit, which could result in serious injuries and permanent disability.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Mar 6, 2026

Abate by

May 15, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): Application of control. The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) shall cover the following elements and actions and shall be done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1) through (d)(6).  On or about September 26, 2025, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps prior to allowing them to perform service and maintenance tasks on the Automatic Car Wash Conveyor, Belt, and Pit, such as entering the pit beneath the conveyor to pressure wash and shovel sludge. There was no lockout tagout applied for the water, chemical sprays, rotating brushes, or conveyor belts, exposing employees to struck-by, caught-in, and pinch point hazards. This could result in serious injuries and permanent disability.  As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, involving machine isolation [1910.147(d)(3)], lockout/tagout device application [1910.147(d)(4)], dissipation of residual energy [1910.147(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [1910.147(d)(6)] were not implemented to protect employees from machine hazards.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Mar 6, 2026

Penalty

Initial $5,788 · Current $3,475 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1): Examination. Electric equipment shall be free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. Safety of equipment shall be determined using the considerations described in 1910.303(b)(1)(i)-(b)(1)(viii).  On or about September 26, 2025, the employer failed to ensure electrical equipment was free from recognized hazards. The following instances were observed:  (a) A 120V switch was found outside of the pump/chemical room, situated in an area exposed to high-pressure water, chemical spray, and mist generated during the car wash operation. The switch was missing a cover plate, and there was significant corrosion evident on the switch, the metal electrical enclosure, and the internal electrical parts.  Location: Automatic Car Wash Tunnel - South Wall  (b) A 120V duplex GFCI receptacle was observed without a weatherproof cover in place, which led to visible corrosion on the receptacle and the electrical enclosure.  The receptacle is situated in an area exposed to high-pressure water, chemical spray, and mist generated during the car wash operation. Location: Automatic Car Wash Tunnel - South Wall Outside Office  (c)A 208-230/460V Leeson Electric WattSaver motor was observed in an extremely corroded condition. Additionally, the electrical junction had missing knockouts, exposing conductors to further corrosion and potential electrical hazards.  Location: East End of Pump Room - North Wall  The lack of proper coverings/enclosures exposed electrical equipment to water and chemical penetration, which can result in electrical shock, short-circuiting while exposing employees to fire hazards and electrical shock injuries.  Abated during inspection.

Issued

Mar 6, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(e)(1): Cabinets, cutout boxes, fittings, boxes, and panelboard enclosures. Cabinets, cutout boxes, fittings, boxes, and panelboard enclosures in damp or wet locations shall be installed so as to prevent moisture or water from entering and accumulating within the enclosures and shall be mounted so there is at least 6.35-mm (0.25-in.) airspace between the enclosure and the wall or other supporting surface. However, nonmetallic enclosures may be installed without the airspace on a concrete, masonry, tile, or similar surface. The enclosures shall be weatherproof in wet locations.  On or about September 26, 2025, enclosures in damp or wet locations were not installed to prevent moisture or water from entering and accumulating within the enclosures. The following instances were observed:   (a) A 120V switch was found outside of the pump/chemical room, situated in an area exposed to high-pressure water, chemical spray, and mist generated during the car wash operation. The switch was not installed in a weatherproof box and was missing a cover plate. There was significant corrosion evident on the switch, the metal electrical enclosure, and the internal electrical parts.  Location: Automatic Car Wash Tunnel - South Wall  (b) A 120V duplex GFCI receptacle was observed without a weatherproof cover in place, which led to visible corrosion on the receptacle and the electrical enclosure. The receptacle is situated in an area exposed to high-pressure water, chemical spray, and mist generated during the car wash operation. Location: Automatic Car Wash Tunnel - South Wall Outside Office  The lack of proper coverings/enclosures exposes electrical equipment to water and chemical penetration exposed employees to fire hazards and electrical shock, which could result in injuries such as burns, smoke/chemical inhalation, neurological damage, and cardiac arrest.  Abated during inspection.

Issued

Mar 6, 2026

Abate by

May 15, 2026

Penalty

Initial $8,513 · Current $4,995 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also includes the requirements stated in 1910.1200(e)(1)(i)-(ii).   On or about September 26, 2025, and at times prior, the employer did not develop, implement, and maintain at the workplace a written Hazard Communication program describing how labeling, safety data sheets (SDSs), and employee information and training requirements would be met. Employees assigned to the tunnel and pre?soak operations handle and work around hazardous chemicals, including substances classified as Carcinogenicity Category 2, Skin Corrosion Category 1, Reproductive Toxicity Category 2, Specific Target Organ Toxicity-Single Exposure Category 3 (respiratory irritation), and flammable/combustible liquids. In the absence of a compliant written and implemented program, employees were not adequately informed of the chemical hazards and protective measures, exposing them to chemical, corrosive, toxic, and fire hazards that could result in serious acute and chronic health injuries.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Mar 6, 2026

Abate by

May 15, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area.   On or about September 26, 2025, and at times prior, the employer did not provide employees assigned to the tunnel and pre?soak operations with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals used. Employees handle and/or work around hazardous chemicals, including substances classified as Carcinogenicity Category 2, Skin Corrosion Category 1, Reproductive Toxicity Category 2, Specific Target Organ Toxicity-Single Exposure Category 3 (respiratory irritation), and flammable/combustible liquids. Employees working with these chemicals were exposed to chemical, corrosive, toxic, and fire hazards that could result in serious acute and chronic health injuries.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Mar 6, 2026

Abate by

May 15, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).  On or about September 26, 2025, and at times prior, the employer failed to assess the workplace to determine the hazards present, or likely to be present, which could necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The employer has not completed a PPE hazard assessment for the employees assigned to the tunnel and pre-soak operations handling and working around hazardous chemicals, potentially exposing them to chemical, corrosive, toxic, and fire hazards that could result in serious acute and chronic health injuries.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Mar 6, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Installation and use. Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.  On or about September 26, 2025, the employer did not ensure that electrical equipment was used as listed and labeled, exposing employees to electrical shock and fire hazards.  Extension cords, power strips and multi-plug adaptors were used as a substitute for permanent power supplies for electrical equipment.  Additionally, they were connected in series (daisy-chain), increasing the likelihood of  electrical shock and fires.  Abated during inspection.

Issued

Mar 6, 2026

Abate by

May 15, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(8)(i): Electric equipment shall be firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted.  On or about September 26, 2025, a 240V electrical receptacle, located in the pump-chemical storage room, was connected directly to an electrical panel enclosure, but was not securely affixed to the wall.  The conduit connecting the receptacle to the electrical panel enclosure was not secure and there was no strain relief provided, exposing employees to electric shock and fire hazards..  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).