Take 5 Car Wash, operated by a subsidiary of Driven Brands Inc., has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for exposing employees to electrical hazards at its Beachwood, Ohio location. A March 2023 inspection revealed serious safety violations, including employees cleaning near live electrical equipment with high-pressure water.
OSHA’s investigation found that Take 5 Car Wash management was aware of the electrical hazards and employee shocks for over 14 months but failed to take prompt corrective action. Employees were routinely tasked with cleaning walls near a deteriorated 480-volt electrical panel not suited for wet environments. “It is unsettling that a company with such vast resources would expose employees to the potentially deadly risks of electrical shock,” stated OSHA Area Director Howard Eberts.
Inspectors documented numerous hazards: rusted electrical boxes with exposed wiring, improper use of flexible cords, ungrounded outlets in restrooms, and unguarded energized electrical cabinets and boxes. Further violations included:
- Failure to implement lockout/tagout procedures for hazardous energy sources in the car wash tunnel containing automated equipment, pressurized water, and heated blowers.
- Lockout/tagout kits left in boxes instead of being readily accessible.
- Inadequate employee training on energy control procedures and lockout/tagout for track and tunnel equipment.
- Neglecting required periodic inspections of machine safety procedures.
- Insufficient working space around electrical equipment.
- Lack of safety training and personal protective equipment for unqualified personnel performing electrical work.
Driven Brands Shared Services LLC, the operator of the Beachwood Take 5 Car Wash, faces one willful and 12 serious safety violations, resulting in proposed penalties of $256,707. Acquired in October 2020, this location is part of Driven Brands Inc., a global automotive services company with over 4,800 locations. Driven Brands provides various services, including car washes, oil changes, and vehicle repairs under brands like Take 5 Oil Change, Meineke, and Maaco.
OSHA offers resources on electrical safety best practices. Driven Brands has 15 business days to comply with the citations, request an informal conference, or contest the findings. The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission will handle any contested citations.
