November 2019

NOVEMBER 2019 AFTERMARKET 19 www.aftermarketonline.net can see penalties of an unlimited fine and/or five years' imprisonment imposed. Company directors and officers can be prosecuted if the criminal offence was committed with their consent or is attributable to their neglect. Discharging a duty of care for automotive Given the duty of care expected from companies that produce hazardous waste and the penalties associated with failure to discharge those responsibilities, all automotive workshops, even the smallest, should develop a good waste management strategy. This is essential to keep them on the right side of the law but also meets growing requirements for environmentally-friendly business practices. While the automotive industry certainly demands a high level of cleanliness, cost pressures mean that the challenges for automotive businesses and their supply chain are growing when it comes to achieving that goal. Greater focus on cleaning methods are now an important part of their business processes. One approach that is gathering momentum is the use of waste management companies. Such firms assess individual requirements, keep appropriate records as required and ensure that workshops are operating within the law. However, there are other considerations for business owners when it comes to automotive wastes. A clean working environment is crucial to productivity, quality and, just as importantly, the well-being of employees. For example, UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance notes that dermatitis is common in motor vehicle repair operations and the incidence of the disease is up to seven times higher for automotive workers compared with the average for UK workers. The causes of this disease include contact with oils, fuels and other materials that workers are commonly exposed to during automotive repairs and servicing. One of the primary HSE recommendations is addressing worker safety is therefore the prompt clean-up of spills to reduce the risks of worker exposure. Rapidly cleaning-up spills also minimises the risk of other health and safety hazards such as causing injuries from slips and trips. Traditionally, many motor vehicle repair and servicing companies have relied on rags or blue-roll paper for cleaning and mopping up spills. However, this approach can add considerable costs to a business in terms of waste disposal, as well as potential penalties for breaching health and safety or environmental protection rules. This is in addition to the impact on cleanliness, efficiency and environmentally friendly best practice. Effective and environmentally friendly The situation is, however, changing for the better, with the advent of recyclable, rentable industrial cleaning wipes. These are far more absorbent that traditional materials, easier and safer to use and, as the supplier takes responsibility for cleaning and replacement, environmentally friendly. Such companies deliver high quality wipes and mats which, once used, are collected, laundered and returned to vehicle workshops for reuse. One of the leading European players in this sector is MEWA Textile Management which produces wipes at its factory in Immenhausen, Germany. Certified to EN ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), for example, the company’s products include its cotton MEWATEX wipes which are highly absorbent, soaking up large volumes of oil, solvents or grease. Compared with conventional disposable paper rolls, these cloth wipes can save automotive companies significant time on cleaning spills, the company estimates this saving at up to 30% for instance. Using an end-to-end full-service leasing model, MEWA started its wipes leasing system more than 100 years ago as a cost-effective and more sustainable alternative to single-use products. After collection, wipes and mats supplied by third parties like MEWA are washed, inspected and returned to the customer. Not only are the materials reused but, by using an eco- friendly washing process, oils and other materials are recovered from the process and are subsequently used to power the washing process itself. Similarly, MEWA recovers heat from the washing process while treating any waste water from the process too. Users benefit from an environmentally friendly source of wipes, but also eliminate the need to manage the purchase, delivery, storage and disposal of single-use hazardous waste wipes and cloths. This approach is growing in popularity due to its convenience and the ability of such wipes and mats to address spills and stains as they occur and being far more absorbent that traditional materials, are easier and safer to use. The business of keeping clean, and providing appropriate cleaning materials for automotive servicing and repair professionals is unlikely to be among the top priorities for many companies. However, today all automotive businesses must effectively manage their environmental impact and the disposal of the hazardous wastes they produce. Re-usable, sustainable and environ-mentally friendly wipes are a novel approach that can help meet those requirements. Below: New cleaning materials and support services can offer commercial advantages About MEWA MEWA supplies companies across Europe with professional and protective clothing, cleaning cloths, oil-collecting and floor mats as well as parts-cleaners from 45 locations in full service. In addition, articles can be ordered in the MEWA brand catalogue for occupational safety. Approximately 5,600 employees serve over 188,000 customers from industry, commerce, trade and gastronomy. Watch MEWA Textile Management videos here: https://corporate.mewa.co.uk /newsroom/all-videos/

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