When you’re working near hazardous chemicals or on an industrial site, health and safety should be top of mind. Working in these environments leave employees vulnerable to where spills, splashes or contact with dangerous chemicals and if something goes wrong, you need to have quick and easy access to an effective cleaning solution for the spill.
A Safety shower is a safe and effective way to manage unexpected, dangerous spills at your workplace.
What are safety showers?
A safety shower is a shower that is designed to be used in case of an emergency – in case a person is exposed to dangerous chemicals or hazardous substances. The safety shower washes away the chemicals from the exposed person. A safety shower may also be used if a person’s clothing has caught fire and needs to be extinguished.
A safety shower might be a stand-alone unit or combined with an eyewash station, but in either case, they are built from durable materials that can withstand harsh chemicals.
Some safety showers are portable and others are designed to be installed and to stay in one place.
Safety showers usually consist of:
- Valves: made of stainless steel and also designed to be unblockable
- Spray nozzle: built to be unblockable and designed to the highest of standards
- Piping: these are durable and made of stainless steel
Why do you need a safety shower on site?
Having a safety shower on site makes sure you comply with health and safety regulations. This means your employees feel safe and protected.
If someone is exposed to dangerous substances, it’s essential that they are able to access a safety shower within 10-15 seconds to avoid long-term damage.
It’s a requirement of the Australian government and Worksafe for certain workplaces to have safety showers easily available.
What are the requirements of safety showers on site?
Safety showers need to:
- Be made from certain materials: the valves must be hardy, the spray nozzle must be made from heavy duty glass, and the piping constructed with stainless steel.
- Be close to where people are working onsite, so in the event of an emergency they can access the shower within 10-15 seconds.
- Have adequate plumbing so that the water is disposed of correctly after the safety shower is used
How can I install a safety shower at my worksite?
Spill Station Spill Control Solutions Australia are experts in building, installing and training your staff on how to use a safety shower, and a variety of other safety measures your workplace might need. Get in touch with them today to see their range of safety showers.
