Safety showers and emergency eyewashes
Safety showers and emergency eyewashes need to be certified on a yearly basis.
Safety showers and emergency eyewashes are provided in work areas where workers or visitors may be exposed to chemicals. They preform a vital role in reducing harm for exposed workers and can be the difference between a worker loosing sight, suffering serious injury or escaping with less serious injuries. They work by flushing (eyewash) or washing (shower) the chemical off the worker with large volumes of clean water.
Chemical burns to the eye are surprisingly common, representing 7-10% of all eye related injuries, and 15-20% of all face burns involve at least one eye, with the bulk of these injuries occurring at work. For all chemical burns to the eye, and anywhere else, the first course of action is to irrigate the area to try and dilute and remove the offending chemical.
It is imperative they are obvious so to be easily found in case of emergency, there is specific signage to each device that must be maintained and visible. Secondly there needs to be appropriate water flow to each device as per device specifications and the AS4775 2007. Lastly the water supply needs to be protected from excess heat to ensure the water is a safe temperature in the case of emergency.
Safety showers are often found in depot’s, schools, universities TAFE’s, hospitals and nursing homes. All workers have Blue cards and current police checks (or able to obtain) and can organise service before after or during working hours to fit in with a clients requirements.
More information pertaining to chemical related eye injuries in particular can be found at https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/eye-injuries-chemical-burns . Please remember a safety shower and of eye wash does not replace the need to seek medical help. In the case of any chemical related injury, once the patient has used the device for a reasonable amount of time, the must seek medical attention regardless how minor it may seem.
For more information, give us a call on 0419 349 697 or email info@tropicalbackflow.com.au.
