Monthly Archives: November 2015
Installing Emergency Showers: Additional Considerations
November 19, 2015
In some facilities, selecting and installing emergency showers is relatively straightforward. But many times, issues can arise that complicate the process or make you second-guess your choice of shower. To help you avoid nasty “surprises,” we’ve compiled a list of additional things to consider when selecting and installing emergency showers:
Piped vs. Portable
Do you have piped water that’s easily accessible at the planned location of the emergency shower? If not, you’ll either need to lay new pipes or choose a portable emergency shower. If you decide to go with a portable unit, make sure it can maintain water flow for a full 15 minutes, as required.
Number of Workers
If multiple workers could be affected by a hazard, then you may need to install multiple emergency showers.
Eye Wash Station Maintenance: Why It’s So Important
November 3, 2015
Recently, OSHA released an InfoSheet on eye wash station maintenance, with a particular focus on the health effects of contaminated eye wash station water. Even a cursory reading leaves no doubt: infections arising from stagnant water can be nasty and dangerous—which is why eye wash station maintenance is so important.
Hazards Associated With Improper Eye Wash Station Maintenance
The biggest hazard associated with improperly maintained eye wash stations is infection. When water is stationary over time, it’s more likely to contain infection-causing organisms, such as Acanthamoeba, Pseudomonas and Legionella. When workers use eye wash stations with contaminated water, organisms can enter their body via the eye, skin or respiratory system.
