Any company that deals with hazardous material in any form is required by safety laws to install eyewashes and safety showers. Therefore, if your company deals with any hazardous material that can contaminate people, your company must install safety showers.
There is a proper procedure for installing safety showers that must be followed. The first rule is that the safety shower must be installed within 10 seconds time from the place of work. In case a worker needs to use the safety shower, he should be able to reach it within 10 seconds. Secondly, there should be no obstruction in the way to the safety showers.
Most laboratories have safety showers outside the laboratory door or in the hallway. This is wrong, as the door is an obstruction in getting to the safety shower. Secondly, there should not be any stairs or inclines that an injured staff will have to climb up or down when going to the shower. Thirdly, the safety shower area must be clearly marked and each employee must know its whereabouts.
The safety shower or showers must meet the safety standard of safety showers, in which the diameter of the showerhead must be twenty inches. To turn it on and off, the shower should not have any knobs. It should have a pull lever for activation. The shower should contain clean water and the shower should operate continuously for at least fifteen minutes.
The floor of the safety shower must have a skid free surface and should have a handrail. The number of safety showers to be installed will depend on the number of employees. The requirement will be written in the safety laws that apply in the area where your company exists.
Installing eyewashes and safety showers is a huge morale booster for the employees. They can visibly see that the company cares for their safety and health. However, by simply installing safety showers, does not mean that your company has complied with the safety laws. Besides safety showers, proper safety equipment must also be provided to the employees.
Protective clothing, eye protection, gloves, safety shoes, helmets, etc must also be provided. The employees must also be trained for using the safety shower and regular drills should be conducted. Another requirement of safety showers is to check and maintain them regularly, as cleaning, and emptying the water tank.
All these points tell the employees that the company cares for them. Besides this, the company will not be fined for not conforming to the required safety regulations. Very few employees opt to work in any unsafe environment. Therefore, a company that shows its concern for its employees will be able to retain its employees. Hiring new employees will not be an issue. The word will get around that the company not only conforms to safety regulations, but also follows them. Therefore, if you feel that your company needs to install safety showers then don’t hesitate. Go ahead and get them installed. You will save yourself from many headaches by doing so.
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