Showering Workers With Emergency Safety Measures

July 22, 2014- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that U.S. workers have on average 2,000 annual eye injuries that require medical treatment, the most serious risks involving exposure to chemicals, gases and other hazardous materials.

Beyond pain and suffering to employees, the costs add up to more than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation.

When it comes to meeting the charge of establishing and maintaining a solid emergency plan incorporating emergency safety shower equipment, we found an excellent article on the Occupational Health & Safety website.

Here's a general overview of the topics covered in the Occupational Health & Safety post, "Fine-Tuning Emergency Shower Safety in the Workplace" (extensive details are available in the post itself):

Emergency Response Job Site Assessment


Types of Fixtures

 -
 Emergency eyewash stations



 - Emergency eye/face wash stations



 - Drench showers



Placement Considerations

A safety or heath advisor should always be consulted in positioning fixtures to assure worker protection. Again, it is essential to reference the Z358.1 emergency equipment standard for proper placement and identification of safety fixtures. Guidelines are outlined in the post.



Tepid Water Delivery Systems



- Electric tankless water heaters


- TMVs


A New Generation of Emergency Fixtures


New shower designs use fluid dynamics technology to rinse a wider area more quickly and thoroughly for the most effective flush possible. The new self-draining designs eliminate stagnant water that, in older models, became contaminated with dirt and bacteria.

Getting Expert Input From Third-Party Safety Consultants and Emergency Equipment Product Manufacturers

Read the full Occupational Health & Safety post here.

Carnow Conibear and Associates is a demonstrated leader in the occupational and environmental health professions since 1975. To find out more, click here or call us at (800) 860-4486.