Accidents do happen

Wherever there is a hazard, such as chemicals, toxic substances, solvents or dust, there is a risk of an accident, no matter how strictly a company adheres to stringent health and safety measures. Allen Yates explains the considerations a business needs to take into account when choosing the right decontamination solution EMERGENCY de-contamination units, such as showers, eye or face washes, are in place for the accidents that employers hope will never happen. What looks to be a low risk environment can give rise to the unexpected – whether by something unpredictable, such as a dust or substance explosion, or by a lack of care and attention to safety by staff.

The current American National Standard (ANSI Z358.1-2004) governs the worldwide design, manufacture and installation of emergency shower units and eyewashes – whether these are plumbed in, self-contained or mobile. The standard states that installation of an emergency shower unit has to be within ten seconds from the hazard. It must be on the same level as the hazard and the path of travel must be free of obstructions that inhibit the immediate use of the equipment. Modern emergency decontamination solutions come in various forms, and there is no excuse for being unable to source the right solution. It doesn’t have to be expensive, since much of the equipment needed can be portable, reducing the need for multiple facilities. Moved quickly from one area of the workplace to another, they are designed to be extremely low maintenance. It’s worth taking the time to get the right unit for the task.

If you have a working environment where there is a possibility of coming into contact with a substantial amount of contaminant, then you will need a shower facility. However, where the spillage is likely to be small, you would probably just need a smaller solution for washing out eyes or a small patch of skin, such as an eyebath or face wash.

The first few minutes immediately after an accident can be vital for reducing the level of injury. Any contaminants in the eyes or on the skin require swift and immediate removal, and being able to take a skin or face wash straight to the victim during the time it takes for an ambulance to arrive is critical. Having easy, fast access to an eye wash can be a problem if the environment in which you are in does not allow for a permanent, plumbed in piece of kit. A portable facility, in an accessible and clearly visible location, is an ideal solution for when there is no water supply available.

Whilst most businesses do have basic medical kits that include bottles of sterile eye wash, some portable eyewash facilities are able to hold thirty litres of water in stainless steel cylinders situated in the base and can deliver up to 10 minutes continuous flow of water. The waste is collected in a holding facility directly below the eyebath, which can then be easily emptied via a hose. It can be a common misconception in educational establishments that students may be tempted to be irresponsible and play with the water.  However, the flow rate of the water in eyewashes is designed to be efficient at close range to the contaminated area, yet too low to make it travel any great distance. In these environments, stationary wall-mounted eyebaths may be more suitable.

Some eye washes, both portable and wall-mounted, have a flexible, trigger-operated, stainless steel hose. This can allow contaminants to be rinsed from any body part, even if the victim is unable to stand.

One of the influential factors on what safety facilities a business chooses is that of available storage space. Although the activities of a working environment may make the presence of a safety shower advisable, it may not be practical to have a shower permanently standing. If space is a problem, then a portable shower unit can fold down to the size of a small case that is easily stored in small workplaces, and take just sixty seconds to be ready for use. However, whether you choose a portable or permanent shower unit, you must think practically. If you have a free standing shower facility that dumps a whole load of water straight onto a floor where others are working, you could end up with more injuries from slippage. A unit that can contain the water would therefore be necessary.

For some companies, safety facilities have to meet specific design requirements. However, you don’t need to worry about trying to find an off-the-shelf unit, as bespoke models can be designed and manufactured - such was the case with Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals. The shower had to suit the standards and appearance of the laboratory into which it was being installed. To occupy as little space as possible, it had to be a corner unit in an area of 1 square metre with no visible pipe-work or fittings, and have an overhead rose spray and 9 side-spray nozzles. The 2 side panels and ceiling were to be manufactured from white fibreglass.

It may be critical in certain workplaces, that the ground or surface can be rinsed quickly. A retractable hose reel will enable you to wash either the victim or the ground, or even both. Lightweight, and with a fully automatic rewind, the hose reel is easy to install and virtually maintenance free. If the hose needs to be installed outside, then a cabinet with a heater will protect the hose reel from freezing.

As a guide, here are a few points to consider when weighing up what facility, or facilities, you may need: • Identify the hazard and the seriousness of the risk • Will you need a shower facility or just an eye wash? • What is the size of the workplace, and how many workers are employed? • Do people tend to move around a lot? If so, portability will be important. • Can the water drain into the ground or will it need to be contained? • Will the water supply be uninterrupted or intermittent? This is an important consideration to determine the most suitable type of shower. • What are the physical constraints i.e. how much space do you have on which to attach or store a unit, and could it be obstructed at any time?

By Allen Yates. Allen is managing director of Showers & Eyebaths Services.