Research finds dangerous bacteria in dirty vehicles

New research from Carfused, www.carfused.com, found that cars soiled with spilled food and beverages create the perfect environment for the breeding of dangerous bacteria and bugs, according to a press release.

After research revealed around one in 10 people in Great Britain admit to having a dirty car, Carfused turned to the University of Nottingham to investigate the potential effects of a soiled car.

The microbiology department at the university took swab samples from seats, steering wheels and foot wells. This additional research found harmful bacteria, such as Staphylococcus and E. coli present in the samples taken from soiled cars.

Of the 2,000 British motorists polled in this survey, 51 percent admitted to dropping food in their cars, and 35 percent revealed that they have spilt drinks in their vehicles.

“You normally hear stories of people taking real pride in their car, cleaning it every weekend and ensuring it’s immaculate at all times,” said Kate Rose, spokesperson for Carfused. “It’s really worrying to see, then, just how dirty people are letting their cars get. We were expecting to find some bad stuff from the University of Nottingham’s testing but we didn’t expect to find bacteria relating to [E. coli] in there.”

Only 25 percent cleaned the interior of their cars once every three months.

“With people across the U.K. using their cars to transport children and friends, it’s worrying to see that they would let their cars get in such a state. The fact that so many say they only clean the interiors of their car once every three months is really worrying,” stated Rose. “[People] should be taking better care of their cars. By doing so, they will help protect their precious cargo from any bacteria and illness, [and] they will also go some way to helping keep the vehicles’ value when it comes to resale.”

 

OSHA issues proposed rule on work-related injuries

WASHINGTON — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, according to a press release.

This proposed rule clarifies an employer’s “continuing obligation to make and maintain an accurate record of each recordable injury and illness throughout the five-year period during which the employer is required to keep the records.”

OSHA issued the rule in light of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit’s decision in AKM LLC v. Secretary of Labor (Volks), which clarifies its longstanding position that “the duty to record an injury or illness continues for as long as the employer must keep records of the recordable injury or illness.”

“Accurate records are not simply paperwork, but have an important, in fact life-saving, purpose,” said OSHA Assistant Secretary of Labor Dr. David Michaels. “They will enable employers, employees, researchers and the government to identify and eliminate the most serious workplace hazards — ones that have already caused injuries and illnesses to occur.”

 

Carwash suffers $100k in damages

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Mister B’s Express Wash reported around $100,000 in damages after being vandalized, according to the Daily News Journal.

An incident report showed that an employee at the wash discovered two automated pay devices were pried open.

Though $2,600 was taken from the pay devices, the machines suffered about $100,000 in damages.

The police report stated that two detectives will continue to investigate the theft and vandalism case. A special watch was also issued for Mister B’s Express Wash.

 

Carwash receives beer and wine license

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Framingham board awarded Auto Bright Car Wash with the town’s last available beer and wine package store license, according to the Framingham Tab. The license was granted after the board voted four to one.

Auto Bright Car Wash also features an auto detailing and express oil change center, used car lot, gas station and convenience store.

Cheryl Tully Stoll, Framingham board member, said that the town should support “a business that has invested so much in Framingham and help it continue to succeed.”

Laurie Lee, board member, opposed the license, stating that she consistently opposes granting alcohol licenses to c-stores and gas stations and worries that the business is a busy site.

Furthermore, Lee explained that she feels the town should have held the last available license in case requests were submitted for new craft beer and wine stores.

 

C-store veterans join together to launch new venture

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Three convenience store veterans have partnered together to create an advisory and business catalyst firm, according to CSPnet.com.

CSP founder Paul Reuter, c-store study groups leader David Nelson and Kay Segal, former CSP vice president, have formed the Business Accelerator Team (BATeam).

“Business Accelerator Team combines the expertise of three industry professionals with extensive and varied knowledge,” said Segal. “Paul, David and I cannot be more excited about this combined new venture, built upon the desire to collaborate both with each other and with clients.”

Segal founded Segal Insights after leaving CSP last year, and Reuter started Kreative Collaborations and Midwest Retail Group, a 7-Eleven franchise outfit.

“I have known Kay and David for numerous years,” stated Reuter. “Their combined expertise, insight and integrity will help us accelerate supplier and retailer business, positively impacting the industry.”

Nelson is the founder of Finance & Resource Management Consultants. “I am thrilled to be working closely with Kay and Paul, two visionaries in the market space,” shared Nelson.

The collaboration plans to provide market strategy and analysis to parties interested in the convenience segment.

Reuter, Nelson and Segal will hold the titles of senior partner in their new company, and Segal will carry the additional title of managing executive.

 

Jeep accelerates from carwash, crosses several highway lanes

GREENBRAE, Calif. — The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is investigating a claim by an employee at the Lucky Drive Brushless Car Wash, located in Greenbrae, who said a Jeep suddenly accelerated while at the carwash and crossed U.S. Highway 101, according to NBC Bay Area – KNTV.

The employee, Juan DeLeon, informed CHP that the 1999 Jeep Cherokee was in neutral, which is required by the wash, when it accelerated across traffic around 4:20 p.m.

Andrew Barclay, a CHP officer, reported that the Jeep traveled over a sidewalk, across three Redwood Highway Frontage Road lanes, through an unoccupied bus stop shelter, across five lanes of Highway 101 (northbound), through a center divider and across two lanes of Highway 101 (southbound).

The Jeep came to a stop without hitting any vehicles. However, the incident resulted in 150 feet of metal guardrail torn out of the center divider as well as debris littering the fast lanes of both northbound and southbound highway lanes.

DeLeon stated that he tried to apply the brakes, but the Jeep continued to accelerate.

Because of past problems associated with the make and model of Jeep, the carwash employees revealed that they will sit inside a Jeep while it moves through the carwash.

 

AUTEC Car Wash Systems revamps website

AUTEC Car Wash Systems announced it has relaunched its website, www.autec-carwash.com, with a fresh, new look, according to a press release. The website targets auto dealers, investors, lube centers and convenience stores.

The redesigned and mobile-friendly website provides visitors with a user-friendly, eye-catching experience and offers key information tailored to move forward in the carwash industry.

AUTEC’s equipment, as well as information on how the solutions work, are available on the website, and visitors can also submit a “contact us” form that will assist AUTEC’s sales team in “establishing the next steps to another happy carwash owner.”

Furthermore, companies or individuals interested in becoming a distributor for AUTEC can find the distributor requirements as well as submit an application on the website.

“Having a mobile-friendly website became critical on April 21, 2015, not just because consumers are on their smartphones more than ever before, but because Google started penalizing sites if they’re not easy to navigate using those small screens,” said Tom Hobby, AUTEC’s president, in the release. “Google changed its search algorithm to favor mobile-friendly websites and expanded its use of mobile friendliness as a ranking signal. So, having a mobile-friendly site was crucial and we were [due for] a facelift.”

AUTEC’s in-house marketing team worked with Clarity Web Solutions to ensure the carwash manufacturer stayed within the boundaries of the new Google requirements, and the company spent several weeks and thousands of dollars on the upgrade.