An auto-scrubber recovers dirty solution, soil, and whatever contamination the floor carried. Leaving recovery liquid in the tank can foul equipment and expose the next operator to splashes and odors. The recovery tank is not simply another clean-water reservoir, and its contents should never be returned to the solution tank.
Use the controls
Park on an approved level surface, secure the machine, and follow the shutdown procedure before cleaning. Use required splash protection and gloves appropriate to the liquid and cleaner. Drain only at the site-authorized location after confirming chemical and waste restrictions. Keep the drain hose controlled and below splash-producing height where practical. Do not discharge to a storm drain, landscaping, or a convenient exterior grate.
Work within the safe plan
Clean the tank, screens, squeegee, and hoses using the manufacturer and site procedure. If a blockage requires entering a danger zone or defeating a guard, stop and arrange authorized maintenance with required energy control. Do not reach into running brushes or a powered vacuum inlet. Label a machine that cannot be properly cleaned or safely operated, and tell the next shift. Our handoff should state whether the tank is empty, the system has been processed, and any defect remains; a clean exterior alone proves none of these things.
Discuss with the crew
A worker wants to rinse a recovery tank at a parking-lot drain.
Question: What must be confirmed first?
Answer guidance: The approved disposal route and restrictions; storm drains are not a default disposal point.
Question: Can the brush run while debris is removed?
Answer guidance: No; follow shutdown and required energy-isolation procedures.
Prepare, act, and follow up
Leader preparation: Use a parked machine and its operating manual.
Put it into practice: Identify the approved drain and machine shutdown controls.
Supervisor follow-up: Inspect tank condition during the next shift handoff.
Official reference: OSHA — Cleaning Industry: Hazards and Solutions
https://www.osha.gov/cleaning-industry/hazards-solutions
Awareness briefing. Apply current site procedures and applicable requirements. This talk does not replace required qualification, practical training, exposure assessment, medical evaluation, or a written program.
Suggested session: 5-7 minutes, including discussion and activity. Prepared October 18, 2026; recheck current requirements before use.
Show the crew
Identify the approved drain and machine shutdown controls.
Ask the crew
What must be confirmed first?
Can the brush run while debris is removed?
Sign-In Sheet — Auto-Scrubber Recovery Tanks and Contamination