Ensuring employee safety in environments with hazardous materials is critical. A portable safety eyewash, when used with a drench hose, provides flexibility and a quick response to chemical exposures. This blog explores five ways a portable safety shower can serve as supplementary equipment, enhancing your workplace’s safety protocols.
Clarification on Portable Safety Showers terminology: According to AS4775, a safety shower must deliver 76 liters of water per minute for 15 minutes. As a result, most portable safety showers do not meet AS4775 run-time requirements and are considered supplementary equipment for first-response emergency treatment. For this reason, some refer to these units as Portable Eyewash Units (which do meet AS4775 standards for eyewashes) with a drench hose.
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Flexible Placement
A key benefit of portable safety showers is their flexibility in location. Unlike fixed units, portable showers can be relocated as needed, making them ideal for dynamic work environments where hazards shift. Whether on a temporary construction site or in an evolving laboratory, a portable safety eyewash ensures essential safety measures are always accessible. -
Rapid Response to Spills
In the event of a chemical spill, time is critical. Portable safety eyewashes with drench hoses offer swift decontamination, allowing for immediate treatment of affected areas. These mobile units can be set up at the worksite ahead of time, reducing the risk of serious injuries if an accident happens. Their mobility ensures that safety eyewashes are readily available wherever an emergency arises, helping to mitigate danger.. -
Enhancing Fixed Safety Equipment
Portable safety eyewashes are an ideal complement to fixed installations. Although fixed safety showers and eyewash stations are crucial, they may not always be within the critical 10-second response time recommended by safety standards. Portable units address this issue, providing decontamination options in areas where fixed units are unavailable, ensuring safety is maintained. -
Improved Reach and Coverage
Drench hoses on portable safety eyewashes provide greater reach and coverage compared to stationary units, which is especially useful when the injured individual cannot easily move. The flexibility of the hose allows responders to target the water flow precisely where it's needed, ensuring complete decontamination. This versatility makes portable eyewash stations a crucial component of effective workplace safety plans. -
Adherence to Safety Regulations
Ensuring compliance with safety regulations is essential for any business dealing with hazardous materials. Portable safety eyewashes contribute to meeting these standards by complementing fixed equipment with additional safety options. They help workplaces align with guidelines from organizations like WorkSafe NZ. Regular training and drills with portable units also familiarize employees with emergency procedures, bolstering overall workplace safety.
Conclusion
Investing in portable safety showers and eyewashes as supplementary equipment greatly strengthens the safety infrastructure of any workplace handling hazardous materials. Their flexibility, quick response capabilities, ability to support fixed installations, extended reach, and contribution to regulatory compliance make them indispensable tools for safety-focused organizations. Equipping your workplace with both fixed and portable safety solutions ensures preparedness for any emergency, safeguarding the health and well-being of your employees.
You may also refer to our Safety Shower and Eyewash Decision Flow Chart to assist you in finding the right product for your requirements