Workspaces are the places where accidents can occur anytime and anywhere, and that requires a big safety net. Safety showers are one of those pieces of equipment that greatly enhance the safety of the workspace. But what is safety shower used for? How does it work? Now, you do not need to Google “safety shower how to use”, because in this article, we’ll dive into all of those questions.
What is a Safety Shower?
Safety showers are special showers that can wash out the whole body with a lot of water in case someone accidentally comes into contact with hazardous substances. They are usually put up close to places where dangerous items are used or kept, or where they are likely to be used.
Safety showers function by giving the body a steady stream of water to wash away dangerous substances. So, how do you use a safety shower? You can turn on the shower head by pulling a lever or pressing a button. The water flow should be strong enough to get rid of dangerous things in minutes. So, picking an effective one is the key.
When Should You Use a Safety Shower?
So, what are safety showers used for? If you accidentally come into contact with chemicals, corrosives, or radioactive materials, you should immediately use a safety shower. Safety datasheets, site risk assessments, and safety practices and regulations will all help you figure out when you need emergency showers. Workers should learn how to use an emergency shower and when they should be used.
If there is a risk that both the eyes and body may be exposed to hazardous substances, a safety shower is not the right first aid option. The strong water flow from the shower can actually injure the eyes. Similarly, a plumbed-in emergency shower is not suitable if you cannot ensure a reliable supply of clean water at the correct pressure and volume.
How to Use a Safety Shower?
Now that you are aware of all the safety shower uses, let’s understand how to use a safety shower. Here’s a step-by-step procedure:
Step 1: Move now, not later
If a chemical hits skin, clothing, or hair, go straight to the nearest safety shower. Not the restroom. Not your locker. The safety shower. Call out for help on the way so someone can alert the supervisor or emergency team.
Step 2: Pull the handle with confidence
Grab the ring or bar, yank it all the way down, and keep it down. Full flow is the goal. Step directly beneath the stream. It will be strong, loud, and not exactly spa-like. It is the strong flow that carries contaminants away.
Step 3: Ditch contaminated clothing
Remove lab coats, shirts, pants, shoes, socks, and jewelry. All of it. Cut fabric if it sticks. Modesty is secondary to safety. If a colleague can hold up a privacy screen or hand you a clean lab coat or blanket, great, but do not delay. Bag the contaminated items for disposal or decon later.
Step 4: Rinse from head to toe
Stand with your head tilted slightly back so water washes over hair, face, neck, torso, then down and off. Use your hands to guide the water across your skin. Do not scrub vigorously. Let the flow do the work so you don’t grind the chemical into the skin.
Step 5: Eyes need special attention
If your eyes are exposed, hold eyelids open with clean fingers and roll your eyes around while the water flows. Contacts must come out. If there is a dedicated eyewash next to the shower, you can switch once your clothing is off and skin is flushing. Keep those eyes under running water for a long rinse.
Step 6: Keep flushing. Longer than you think
Minimum 15 minutes for most exposures. Many labs teach 20. Strong corrosives often call for 30. Stay put. Time is your ally here.
Step 7: Skip home remedies
No lotions. No neutralizing chemicals. No magical powders. Water and time. That’s the playbook unless your lab’s chemical safety data sheet specifically directs an approved additive and your trained responders hand it to you while you rinse.
Step 8: Get medical evaluation
When the rinse time ends, pat dry with clean towels, wrap up in a fresh lab coat, blanket, or spare scrubs, and head to medical care. Bring the chemical name and the SDS if possible. Even if you feel fine, delayed injuries are a thing.
Step 9: Report and reset
Tell your supervisor, document the incident, and restock anything used. The team should cordon off the area, manage any runoff per policy, and clean the floor so no one slips.
Step 10: Reflect for next time
Walk to the shower later when everything is calm. Time the route. Check that the path is clear, the handle moves freely, and towels or privacy supplies are nearby. Little prep steps make a big difference when adrenaline is high.
Safety Precautions While Using a Safety Shower
Now, while there is safety in the name, we’d advise you to take some additional safety precautions. They are:
- Keep access to showers and eyewashes clear at all times.
- Never place electrical equipment nearby.
- Flush eyes or skin immediately for at least 15 minutes.
- Remove contaminated clothing, jewelry, and shoes right away.
- Bring the chemical’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to the medical staff.
- Always report the incident and any equipment problems.
- Use PPE (goggles, gloves, aprons). Showers and eyewashes are backups, not substitutes.
Conclusion
Safety Showers are like the most important safety equipment; they wash off all the chemical residue in case of an accident. But remember, they’re a backup, and not a substitute for PPE. Using PPE and following the step-by-step guide of using a safety shower will ensure proper workplace safety.
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FAQs
What is the correct procedure for using a safety shower?
If dangerous chemicals get on your skin or clothes, turn on the safety shower right away, take off any contaminated items, and rinse them off for at least fifteen minutes while you wait for medical help to arrive.
What safety standards apply to emergency showers?
The ANSI.Z358.1 standard, which is used all around the world, shows you how to set up and operate emergency showers and eyewashes, and is applied on emergency showers.
What are the features of a safety shower?
A safety shower needs to have a high flow rate (at least 75.7 L/min or 20 GPM) to soak the full body, be able to be used without hands, and have a valve that stays open without human involvement.
What are the types of safety showers?
Based on where the water comes from, safety showers are either plumbed (permanently attached to a water supply) or portable/self-contained (with an onboard tank).
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