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- Oct 10, 2018
Did you know that you can meet the ANSI Z358.1 standard for safety showers and still be unsafe? It is possible to be so focused on meeting the standard that you miss some very serious risks right next to your emergency shower and eye wash station location.
Emergency safety showers are used in a wide variety of industries. They are critical pieces of safety equipment for providing immediate relief to employees splashed with chemicals.
A local fire brigade responds to an incident at a small chemicals factory. Many hazardous chemicals are on site and the incident has resulted in some injuries. The crew swings into action as their training and experience kick in. They assess the situation, demarcate the danger zone and don their full protective hazmat suits. These brave emergency responders risk their own lives to rescue injured workers and contain the situation.
An emergency safety shower seems like a very simple piece of safety equipment. It must provide tepid water. It should activate quickly. It needs to flow for at least 15 minutes. But, is a simple on/off safety shower the right equipment for every environment?
The internationally recognised American National Standard, ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 provides uniform minimum requirements for the performance, use, installation, testing, maintenance and training of emergency safety shower and eyewash equipment. This summary presents the main points for consideration to assist health and safety specifiers in understanding the ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 standard.
Major water utilities companies across the UK - including Thames Water, Scottish Water, United Utilities and Welsh Water - specify emergency tank showers from Hughes for their site and it’s not difficult to see why.
Emergency safety showers and eye/face wash units provide the first line of defence in the event of a chemical splash or spillage. Any delay in the removal of these spillages can result in serious injury with possible long-term consequences, permanent disability and even death.
There are fundamental points to consider when making the important decision of selecting emergency safety equipment irrespective of the industry or the location and climate.
How you react in the first 10 to 15 seconds after exposure to a toxic substance, particularly if it is corrosive, is crucial. A delay in treatment, even for just a few seconds, can lead to serious long-term health issues or painful injuries. As such, emergency safety showers must be situated within any hazardous or industrial workplace.
With the implementation of new building methods or infrastructure processes, it is necessary for construction sites to change in order to meet demands. As new hazards transpire or complications arise, provisions for emergency safety equipment can be challenging especially if a site does not readily have access to a clean potable water supply, or a power supply to ensure the water remains at the required tempered level. This is where portable emergency safety showers and eye/face wash stations are essential.
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