The vehicle fleet services garage at UC Davis Medical Center has received certification as a model pollution prevention shop by the State Consumer Services Agency Driving Green Task Force and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).

The DTSC developed the model vehicle shop certification program to reduce environmental pollution from commercial garages. The UC Davis Medical Center shop is the second in the UC system to attain certification and the twentieth in the state of California.

To receive model shop certification, UC Davis Medical Center fleet services made changes to their facility design, procedures and management practices.

Employees completed DTSC pollution prevention training, assessed potentially hazardous materials in their shop, replaced solvent and aerosol cleaners with water-based systems and implemented the use of dry-floor cleanup for oil spills.

“Reducing waste and pollution by servicing automobiles efficiently has a significant impact on the environment, as well as the added benefit of reducing employee exposure to harmful chemicals,� said DTSC director Ed Lowry.

The Driving Green Task Force recognized the medical center for several pollution control measures previously in place, including a “closed-loop� water recycling car wash and zero discharge to sewer and storm water systems. Of the 100 points necessary to receive certification, UC Davis Medical Center fleet services shop exceeded requirements by scoring 143 points.

Shelton Duruisseau, senior associate director, administrative and professional services, UC Davis Medical Center, said, “As an academic health center, UC Davis Medical Center works to improve the health of Northern Californians every day. This commitment to good health extends to providing a safe environment for our employees as well as our neighbors. We’re very proud of this certification. It’s another way of showing that we care about the health of this community.�

UC Davis Medical Center’s vehicle fleet is comprised of 133 vehicles, including passenger buses, paratransit buses, street sweepers, box trucks, boom truck, pickup trucks, cargo vans, passenger vans, sedans and neighborhood electric vehicles.

For additional information about the model shop program, visit the Web or call 1-800-700-5854.