What Are Safety Showers?
Safety showers are emergency equipment designed to rinse off hazardous substances (e.g., chemicals, toxins, or contaminants) from a person’s body in the event of accidental exposure. They are commonly found in laboratories, industrial settings, and workplaces where hazardous materials are handled. Safety showers provide a large volume of water to quickly dilute and remove harmful substances from the skin and clothing.
Safety Shower Requirements in Australia
In Australia, safety showers must comply with the Australian Standard AS 4775-2007: Emergency eyewash and shower equipment, refer to Australian Standard AS 4775-2007 for more information. Key requirements include:
Location:
- Safety showers must be installed within 10 seconds of travel time (approximately 15 meters) from the hazard area.
- They should be on the same level as the hazard, with unobstructed access.
Water Supply:
- Must provide a continuous flow of clean, tepid water (between 15°C and 38°C) for at least 15 minutes.
- The water flow rate should be at least 76 liters per minute for showers and 11.4 liters per minute for eye wash stations.
Visibility and Signage:
- Clearly marked with highly visible signage.
- Illuminated if located in low-light areas.
Maintenance:
- Regular testing and maintenance to ensure proper functionality.
- Weekly activation checks to flush the system and prevent sediment buildup.
Design:
- Must have a pull handle or lever that can be activated quickly, even with limited mobility.
- The showerhead should be positioned at a height of 2080–2440 mm from the floor.
How to Use an Eye Wash Station and Safety Shower
Eye Wash Station:
- Rinse your eyes thoroughly with water for a minimum of 15 minutes without delay.
- Hold your eyelids open with your fingers to ensure water reaches all areas of the eyes.
- Roll your eyes to ensure thorough rinsing.
- Seek medical attention after use.
Safety Shower:
- Stand under the shower and pull the activation handle or lever.
- Remove contaminated clothing to ensure water reaches the skin.
- Rinse for at least 15 minutes, focusing on affected areas.
- Seek medical attention after use.
Benefits of Safety Showers
- Immediate Decontamination: Rapidly removes hazardous substances, reducing the risk of injury or chemical burns.
- Compliance with Regulations: Ensures workplaces meet safety standards and avoid penalties.
- Injury Prevention: Minimizes the risk of chemical exposure and long-term health effects.
- Employee Confidence: Provides peace of mind to workers handling hazardous materials.
- Versatility: Can be used for a wide range of contaminants, including chemicals, dust, and biological agents.
Types of Safety Showers
- Emergency Showers
- Designed to rinse the entire body.
- Emergency Showers Typically floor-mounted or wall-mounted with a large showerhead or Cyclonic shower head.
- Eye Wash Stations
- Focus on rinsing the eyes and face.
- Eyewash stations Can be plumbed.
- Combination Units:
- Include both a safety shower and an eye wash station in one unit.
- Ideal for areas where both types of equipment are needed.
- Drench Hoses:
- Flexible hoses with a nozzle for targeted rinsing.
- Often used in conjunction with other safety equipment.
- Wall-Mounted Showers:
- Space-saving design for smaller work areas.
- Often used in laboratories or workshops.
Gentec Combination Safety Shower with Cyclonic Showerhead and Eyewash Features:
- Signs and Test Tags Included: Each product comes with compliant signs and test tags.
- Laminar Flow Eyewash: Designed for a gentler and more comfortable user experience.
- Temperature Relief Valves: Ensures safe water temperatures outside the range of 16°C to 38°C.
- Cyclonic Shower Head Design: Features a spray pattern with a minimum diameter of 50.8 cm for complete coverage.
- Lime-Resistant Design: The shower head’s water distribution pattern and flow holes are engineered to prevent lime buildup and flow restrictions.
- Audio & Visual Alarms: Optional alarms available with connectivity to Building Management Systems (BMS).
- Ideal Applications: Recommended for science, education, and industrial projects.
- Customisation Options: GENTEC offers tailored solutions to meet specific customer requirements.
