We are facing new challenges, both personally and professionally, which require different ways of thinking. One of these new challenges is keeping our employees and customers safe from COVID-19 and other viruses and bacteria. Here are some of the ways that brick and mortar golf car businesses and golf courses have put protective measures in place:
Improving Cleaning Practices
According to the World Health Organization, there is a significant difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning refers to removing germs, grime, and other impurities from surfaces. While cleaning can effectively lower the number of germs and reduce the risk of spreading infection, it does not kill germs. Disinfecting is defined as the use of chemicals to kill germs. The process of disinfecting does not necessarily mean that the surface will be free of grime, but that the germs have been killed. Processes that utilize both cleaning and disinfecting are both important ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other illness. Here are a few ways to improve cleaning practices:
- Use Emist or other upgraded technology for showrooms and warehouses. Electrostatic sprayers have been proven to clean and disinfect high touch point surfaces better than plastic spray bottles.
- Use EPA-certified disinfectants. The EPA has released guidelines for cleaning supplies that effectively kill coronavirus.
- Increase cleaning frequency. Rather than deep cleaning offices and showrooms once or twice per week, up that to a daily cleaning and disinfectant.
- Deep clean and disinfect every golf car before it is delivered to the customer. This applies to golf cars in for repairs and new golf car delivery.
- Supply hand sanitizer to be used by employees and customers alike. Make sure that the hand sanitizer meets the recommended 60%+ alcohol level.
Adopting Additional Protective Measures
Using additional protective equipment and products is recommended by the CDC. The recommended protocol by the CDC, WHO, and PPE experts such as Dupont is to layer disinfecting with multiple types of protective solutions. Here are a few suggestions:
- Require employees who interface with customers to wear masks.
- Place adhesive protective film on high touch areas when servicing golf cars or taking customers for a test drive. Applying the film in front of the customer builds confidence that you are committed to their safety and it also protects your service workers.
- Monitor employee health and encourage them to report symptoms.
We are now living in different times and golf cart maintenance now includes proper cleaning and disinfecting. To ensure the continuation of services and lessen the need for more business shut downs, adopting these practices and utilizing additional personal protective equipment must be part of “business as usual” for the foreseeable future.
Stay safe!
Julie Starr, Owner of WHEELZ Custom Carts & Accessories, was one of the industry’s first online retailers of golf cart parts, when she founded her business in 2008. Julie’s eCommerce store, www.WHEELZLLC.com remains a popular online shopping experience for innovative golf car parts and accessories.
