Mobile / On-Site
Detailing
Driveway · Kerbside · Car park · Customer workshop · Lone working
Issued April 2026 · Next review April 2027
At a glance
- Task / activity
- Mobile / On-Site Detailing
- Location
- Variable — driveway, kerbside, car park, customer workshop
- Personnel required
- 1 detailer (lone-working procedure applies)
- Estimated duration
- Variable per job
- Prerequisite training
- Site induction · Defensive driving · Lone-worker procedure · Electrical lead safety
What is this?
Detailing performed at customer premises — residential driveways, kerbside, commercial car parks, fleet workshops.
Performed by 1 detailer following the lone-worker procedure. Task itself follows the relevant JSA (Wash, Polish, Interior, Coating).
What could hurt you?
- • Electric shock from outdoor outlets, damp surfaces or damaged leads.
- • Vehicle movements past the work zone — kerbside and car-park exposure.
- • Hostile / aggressive members of the public approaching while working alone.
- • Chemical wash water entering the stormwater system (council compliance).
- • Driver fatigue between jobs and at end of day.
Mandatory PPE
Hi-vis vest (Class D/N) for all on-street and car park work; sun protection (hat, SPF50+, long sleeves); steel-cap boots over driveways/kerbs; plus task-specific PPE per the relevant JSA (wash / polish / interior / coating).
NZ UV exposure is high year-round — sun protection is non-negotiable.
STOP — Lone-worker check-in
Before starting any job: confirm mobile phone has signal, share location with base, and schedule a check-in for every 2 hours. If you don’t check in, base will call you. If you don’t answer, base will dispatch. Trust your instincts — leave the site if anything feels uncomfortable. Personal safety overrides the booking.
Mandatory PPE
-
High-vis vest (Class D/N)
AS/NZS 4602.1 — required in all on-street and car park work. Class D for daytime, D/N for low-light or dusk work.
-
Steel-cap boots
AS/NZS 2210.3 — for mobile work over driveways and kerbs. Slip-resistant sole.
-
Sun protection
Hat, SPF50+, long sleeves. NZ UV exposure is high year-round — applies in all seasons.
-
Task-specific PPE
See exterior wash / polish / interior / coating JSAs for chemical / mechanical PPE relevant to the actual task being performed on-site.
Procedure
- 1
Pre-trip: vehicle check, tool/chemical secure, route plan, customer contact.
Hazards
- •Driver fatigue
- •Unsecured load shifting in transit
- •Chemical leak in van
Controls
- •WoF / CoF current; pre-drive walk-around
- •Cargo barrier; chemicals upright in trays; absorbent in floor of van
- •Driving hours capped per fatigue policy
- 2
On arrival: site survey before unloading.
Hazards
- •Sloped driveway
- •Pedestrians / children / pets
- •Overhead power lines
- •Soft / slippery surfaces
- •Hostile environment
Controls
- •Visual walk-around
- •Cone off work area
- •Park on level ground; chock if needed
- •Confirm safe water disposal route (grass / soak pad / drain — not kerb / stormwater)
- ✓If unsafe — politely cancel or relocate; document; trust your instinct
- 3
Set up work zone: cones, signage, lead routing.
Hazards
- •Trip hazards from leads / hoses
- •Vehicle movements past work zone
- •Public access to work area
Controls
- •Cable matting or overhead routing
- •Position van as a barrier where possible
- •Customer briefed to keep family / pets clear
- 4
Connect to power: confirm RCD on every circuit; inspect lead.
Hazards
- ⚠Electric shock — outdoor outlets, damp surfaces, damaged leads
Controls
- ✓Carry portable RCD; do not work without it
- •Visual inspection of lead, plug, casing; isolate damaged leads — tag-out, do NOT use
- •Keep connections off ground / wet
- 5
Connect to water: confirm hose, no back-siphon risk.
Hazards
- •Hose burst
- •Cross-contamination of customer potable supply
Controls
- •Backflow preventer fitted
- •Inspect hose pressure rating
- 6
Conduct task per relevant JSA (wash, polish, interior, coating).
Hazards
- •As per task JSA; outdoor working adds UV, weather, traffic
Controls
- •Apply task JSA controls
- •Heat / sun breaks; reschedule in extreme weather (rain, high wind, electrical storm)
- •Maintain public exclusion zone
- 7
Lone-worker check-ins.
Hazards
- ⚠Injury or incident with no one present to assist
- •Personal safety — strangers approaching
Controls
- ✓Mobile phone on person at all times — not in van
- ✓Scheduled check-in with base every 2 h; missed check-in escalates
- •Trust instincts — leave if uncomfortable; document and notify base
- 8
Pack down: collect all leads, hoses, chemicals; dispose runoff appropriately.
Hazards
- •Tripping during pack-down (especially dusk)
- •Manual handling of wet equipment
- ⚠Chemical wash water entering stormwater
Controls
- •Lighting if dusk
- •Two-handed lift for heavy items
- ✓Use grass, soak pad or designated drain — never the kerb / stormwater. Council compliance — document if asked.
- 9
Customer walk-around and departure.
Hazards
- •Driver fatigue
- •Cargo shift en route to next job / depot
Controls
- •Re-secure load; rest before driving long distances
- •Photograph completed work and any pre-existing damage