Aqua Safety Showers International Ltd

The Importance of Having an Emergency Safety Shower

Courtesy of Aqua Safety Showers

Based in the Northwest of England, they have strived to build up a brand well known in the marketplace. Janet Waine, Managing Director of Aqua Safety showers explains how important a safety shower is and what is required to meet legal requirements.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states all employees have a safe place to work. In industries and workplaces where employees handle hazardous materials, the importance of having an emergency safety shower cannot be overstated. Accidents can happen, and exposure to chemicals or other dangerous substances can occur unexpectedly, putting workers’ health and well-being at risk. By installing a safety shower unit, you are meeting your duty of care to your employees as well as promoting a culture of safety within your workplace.

The latest specifications for safety showers state that the shower should deliver tepid water to avoid thermal shock and further injury. The unit should be easily accessible and visible. The best option to achieve this is to install a TS1500L self- contained safety shower. This unit holds 1500L of water which is warmed to 18-20°C and will deliver the required 15 minutes of tepid water both from the shower and eyewash (if fitted). This unit is manufactured from stainless steel and GRP which are all corrosive resistant materials and comes with photo luminous signage as standard. Many optional extras are available to suit site requirements and specifications.

A washdown hose reel is a piece of equipment that should be installed at the side of the safety shower so the area can be hosed down after any spillage. Aqua safety showers offer a range of retractable wash down hosereels which are built into a heavy-duty GRP heated cabinet. The cabinet is mounted on a stainless-steel pedestal.

A washdown hose reel

A safety shower is an asset and should last for approximately 20 years. To ensure this long service life of this piece of equipment the unit should be tested weekly to ensure correct operation and serviced ideally every 3-6 months. At Aqua, we understand the importance of keeping your safety shower in optimal condition to ensure the well-being of your workforce.

By ensuring a service contract is in place you are investing in the longevity and reliability of your asset. Aqua Safety showers offer a complete maintenance package for any model of safety showers and offers site surveys should this be required.

Conclusion

Having an emergency safety shower in the workplace is not just a legal requirement; it is a vital investment in employee safety. By providing immediate access to decontamination, safety showers play a crucial role in preventing and reducing injuries resulting from exposure to hazardous materials. Moreover, they ensure compliance with regulations, enhance emergency preparedness, reduce costs, and promote a culture of safety within the organization. Employers should prioritize the installation, maintenance, and regular training on the usage of safety showers to create a safer and more secure work environment for their employees.

For more information: +44(0)1942 318096 | www.aqua-safety.com