As an essential provider of goods and services, you supply a critical service to “the motoring public.” Whether it’s people getting to critical doctor’s appointments or to the grocery store for their kids, your ability to operate your business and repair vehicles is a matter of public safety and welfare. AutoZone is committed to supporting you. The following are some tips and best practices that can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 at your shop.
Keeping Your Shop Safe:
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Wear Gloves- Protects hands from shared surfaces like computers, tools or equipment, and discourages face touching
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“On-Hand” Sanitizer - Make sure you have hand-sanitizer at each work station and throughout the front of the shop.
Keep a good supply of soap at each wash station
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No Visitors - Vendors and non-employees should not be allowed in the shop in order to reduce contact and exposure
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Pick-Up & Drop-Off Spot - Designate a location for parts and deliveries to be dropped off or picked up. Also, consider labeling this location with signage to direct staff and reps accordingly.
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Limit Crowds From work schedules to lunch breaks, try to make sure that personnel are not scheduled at the same time to help physical distancing
If you have more than one location, eliminate employees traveling to other offices
Limit staff meetings to no more than 10 people at a time, keeping people at least 6 feet apart from one another
Rotate lunch schedules so everyone does not eat together and have space between themselves
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Reduce Illnesses from Home
Employees showing any symptoms of illness should stay home until they are completely healthy
Offer a clean space to have employees change and store their work clothes and gear at the shop
- Get Your Team’s Buy-in - Review these safety measures with your team and ask them for their
Taking Care of Customers:
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No Customer Contact - Use a key lock box for vehicle drop offs. If need be, meet them outside at a safe distance (6 ft.)
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Space out Appointments - Limit the number of people coming to the shop at one time, where possible
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Disinfect - Be mindful of items being used or exchanged by customers, disinfect or don’t reuse items after use:
Pens - When a customer signs a document, give them the pen to keep. Consider getting email approval instead
Keys - Disinfect and wipe down thoroughly
Vehicles - Disinfect and thoroughly wipe down commonly touched areas before and after the work is done:
Door Handles, Armrests, Steering Wheels, or other areas commonly touched by technicians
- Proactive Communication - Make sure your customers are aware of these new safety procedures so they know what to expect and can comply with them
Steps for Leadership:
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Your NUMBER 1 Responsibility - Take care of your customers and your employees. It is critical for everyone to comply with your safety measures to keep the public and your business safe and healthy
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Perform a Risk Assessment - Assess all services and operational aspects of your business, focusing on hygiene and safety measures, to safeguard people, systems and processes during the outbreak. Including but not limited to:
Check-in process & bay check-in/out
Customer interactions and procedures
Part exchanges and deliveries
Look to the CDC for complete, up-to-date recommendations and resources, as well as the OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
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Build a Business Plan - Use the information on hand rather than emotion
Short-term - Take care of employees and make sure your supply chain will continue for day to day operations
Medium-term – Make sure you have enough cash flow and plan for potential lay-offs
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Plan for the Long Term - Your local bank or the Small Business Administration may help with disaster assistance loans for shops impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19
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Communicate New Plans & Processes
Staff - Establish a routine time to communicate with employees, understand how they are being personally impacted by the virus and be able to provide reassurances on how you plan to support them
Customers/Stakeholders – Take the time to reach out to any customers or stakeholders to reassure them that you are taking appropriate measures to fight the spread of the virus
We'll work tirelessly to provide the services and parts you need to keep customers safely on the road. Please reach out to your AutoZone Commercial Sales Manager or visit us online at AutoZonePro.com
