Cleaning up vehicle storage
December 1st 2009

To prevent hazard, especially in the event of an accident, cleaning chemicals and apparatus transported in vans needs to be properly stored. Storing items correctly can also help contractors better organise their equipment.Kevin Woodward, MD of Bott's Vehicle Enhancement Division, explains

Cleaning professionals use their vans to transport all manner of items, including cleaning chemicals, mops and buckets and even portable ice blasters to clean graffiti and stubborn dirt.

Professional in-vehicle storage systems will ensure that the risk of chemicals being spilled is minimised, which is vital as they can be harmful if mixed together and are often highly flammable. Potentially dangerous chemicals should be lashed down where necessary and rubber linings will ensure containers and bottles do not slip around during transit.The use of drawers and lipped trays can make sure any spills are contained.

If bottles, containers and buckets aren't properly secured, should a collision occur there is potential for them to fly through the air to the front of the van or through the windscreen, causing serious injury or even death – known as 'secondary injury'. Chemicals could be spilt in the van or onto the road or pavement, resulting in a very dangerous hazard. If properly secured, the load will not contribute to the injury of the driver or other road users.

Poorly secured items can also distract the driver. For example, if a bottle containing a potentially harmful chemical starts rolling around in the back of a van, the driver could be tempted to take their attention away from the road.

Goal weight When storing items, vehicle handling and weight distribution issues also need to be considered.

Having too much weight on one side of the van will cause uneven wear of tyres and poor vehicle handling and could increase the risk of skidding. In addition, most vans have a maximum weight that can be placed across the back axle and if this is exceeded VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) can take legal action.

A matter of restraint Cleaning contractors should therefore have adequate systems in place for restraining goods and equipment safely.Using high-quality, professional in-vehicle storage to restrain and organise items will not only guarantee safety, but will also ensure items can be found easily and efficiently.

With well-designed storage, everything should be easily accessible to ensure that cleaners can quickly and safely locate the equipment and cleaning solutions they need. For small items such as wipes, gloves, brushes and dusters, cabinets with drawers can be included in the storage design.These drawers can include inserts, to help organise items by size or type.

Bott is a leading provider of in-vehicle storage equipment, primarily for light commercial vehicles, and offers a wide range of storage solutions including cabinets, drawers, shelving and racking. It also offers accessories such as storage bins, boxes, containers, supply cases (which can also be removed) and restraints.The company has a dedicated design team, which can help to ensure goods are stored in the most effective, safe way.

Some cleaning contractors might be tempted to turn to DIY storage, but this is unlikely to withstand the impact of a collision, and could itself be hazardous if it becomes detached. Leading invehicle storage providers will make load safety their top priority. Bott carries out a variety of safety tests at its factories, covering endurance, tensile, tear-out, vibration and load.We also conduct realistic crash tests, partly in conjunction with the automobile industry and the TUEV Technical Inspectorate.

We believe safety is synonymous with attention to detail, and this includes using the correct materials.We aim to strike a balance between stability and lightweight design, combining aluminium, steel and plastic to meet requirements for safety, as well as stability,weight and noise insulation.

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