Using Safety Showers and Eye Washes in an Emergency

No matter how many precautions we take, or regulations we adhere to; accidents will happen.  Knowing what actions to take in an emergency is imperative to the victim’s (or your own) livelihood.  Safety showers and eye washes must be located where corrosive materials and other chemical hazards are present.
The training course, “Safety Showers and Eye Washes” reveals the uses and characteristics along with accessing and maintaining this equipment.  There are specific actions to take depending on what type of equipment is needed for the emergency.

Safety Showers:

• A strong, continuous, stream of water
• Clothing should be removed to underwear (there is no time for modesty in these situations)
• Shower for no less than 15 minutes
• If helpers were involved, they may also be at risk and will need to shower as well

Eye Washes:

• Provide a gentle, continuous, stream of water
• Hold the eye open to get behind and all around
• If only one eye was affected, don’t let contaminated water reach the other eye
• Just like the showers, eye washes should run for no less than 15 minutes

Common practices such as; keeping equipment in good condition, making sure workers know the equipment’s location, keeping  routes clear to the equipment, know the action steps for an emergency, and after the equipment is used making sure victims get immediate medical attention, should be included in all worker training.  The water in this equipment offers us the fighting chance when an accident occurs.