The Importance of Emergency Eyewash Stations & Safety Showers:
What is an Emergency Eyewash Station and Safety Shower?
Chemicals, gases and other hazardous materials can pose a serious risk to staff who manufacture, transfer or work with these substances. Even when personal protective equipment, safety precautions and highly trained staff are used, accidents can still happen and you need the right reactive solutions in place to ensure the safety of your staff and their environment. Fortunately, emergency eyewash stations and safety showers were developed to decontaminate a person in the event of a hazardous spill or fire.
Emergency eyewash stations and safety showers are permanent or portable stations that are installed in the workplace to decontaminate a person who may have been exposed to chemicals or hazardous materials. These emergency stations are fitted with a medically approved fluid that is used to flush and sterilize contaminates from the eye or exposed body. A sufficient supply of clean water and this fluid is required because flushing times vary depending on the chemical and corrosive they are. Emergency showers and eyewash stations are an emergency first aid response which may be required in your industry according to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act).
Where should emergency eyewash stations and safety showers be installed?
The installation of emergency equipment and medical aid is extremely important. It can be the deciding factor in whether an exposed staff member makes a full recovery or is left with serious injuries and illness. Safety showers and eyewash stations provide immediate decontamination to workers who are exposed to chemicals, acids or any hazardous materials. The first 10 to 15 seconds after exposure is determinative of recovery so the shower and eyewash stations must be in a close and accessible location.
Emergency shower stations should be positioned in a place where workers can get to them within 10 seconds of walking without having to climb down stairs or a ladder, open or unlock doors or move any objects/obstacles out of their way. A workplace risk assessment may be necessary for determining high-risk zones and how many stations you may need to have installed. Eyewash and shower stations should also be visible to all staff members who may be at risk. Visibility can greatly impact the 10-second rule exposing staff members to serious health risks and injury. If highly corrosive chemicals are being used, the shower or eyewash should be installed next to the workstation. If an eyewash station can’t be installed adjacent to the staff working zone, portable eyewash kits may be required.
If a site safety evaluation determines multiple staff members may be at risk in the event of a spill or exposure to chemicals, an adequate amount of stations should be made available to prevent staff members from having to wait 15 minutes while another is being decontaminated.
How to use an emergency shower or eyewash station?
In the event of exposure to corrosive or dangerous chemicals, an emergency shower or eyewash station should be reached within the first 10 to 15 seconds to avoid irreversible skin and health damage.
Safety Showers – Safety showers are designed to be simple and easy to use to ensure a fast response to emergencies. Most are operated by a pull lever which once drawn will release water at a specific volume and rate for at least 15 minutes. The exposed worker should remove all clothing that may have been contaminated because fabrics can become easily saturated with chemicals, causing more damage to the skin. Staff members should try to keep their eyes closed during the shower – not only could chemicals run down their face and into their eyes, but the pressure of the water may cause more damage if the eyes are open or exposed. If eyes have also been contaminated during the incident, it is required to thoroughly wash their eyes with an eyewash station. Combination showers are best for fast response and should be used when both skin and eyes have been in contact with hazardous materials.
Eyewash Stations – Eyewash stations can be activated using a hand or foot lever. It is important to keep the eyes open and rotate the eyeball for at least 15 minutes to ensure a thorough wash. It is important to have the exposed eye tilted below the other one if only one eye is contaminated to ensure the chemicals don’t run and cause injury to the other eye. Once activated the unit should stay on, so the staff member should use their hands to keep their eyelids open. If their hands have also been exposed, another staff member should assist in keeping their eyes open for the full 15 minutes.
Stations should be tested monthly to ensure they are correctly maintained and operating properly. All staff members should be trained in emergency medical response and reactive drills should be practised to ensure calm and thorough procedures are followed in the event of exposure.
Does your worksite need a safety shower or emergency eyewash station?
Emergency showers and eyewash stations are legally required in work environments where workers and staff members are at risk of being exposed to harmful chemicals, debris, dust or other hazardous materials. It is crucial to provide emergency response procedures like safety showers and eyewash stations to prevent irreversible damage or illness. It is important to note that emergency showers and eyewash stations are a reactive medical response in the event of exposure and not a proactive solution to replace health and safety measures. Proper risk control measures should be practised at all times with safety showers being a last resort if an emergency or accident occurs.
For more information or to enquire about safety showers and emergency eyewash stations contact us at 010 003 6060 or email us at sales@spilldoctor.co.za.
