Safe use of emergency stations

Responding is Christine Tarlecki, marketing coordinator, ThermOmegaTech, Warminster, PA.

In environments where workers may be exposed to hazardous or corrosive materials, immediate access to an emergency drench system is essential for protecting the eyes and body after an incidental exposure.

These systems, which include safety showers, facewash stations and eyewash stations, provide continuous water flow to flush away hazardous material.

Many facilities – including laboratories; chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and manufacturing plants; agriculture and mining facilities; oil refineries; and educational facilities – have emergency systems.

“Emergency systems are vital to worker safety,” says Andy Reichlin, industrial sales manager at ThermOmegaTech. “They must operate effectively when needed and comply with safety codes.”

To ensure safety, water in these systems must be within the tepid temperature range defined in ANSI Z358.1: 60-100º F. This temperature range provides comfort during the cleansing process and helps prevent further injury, particularly after bodily exposure to a hazardous material.

“The code is in place to provide parameters for a safe process,” Reichlin said. “Since the recommended duration for using an emergency station is at least 15 minutes, water that’s too cold can lead to hypothermia. Exposure to water that is over 100º F could open the pores in your skin and let in the chemicals that the process is intended to remove.”

Maintaining a consistent flow of tepid water for emergency showers and eyewash stations prevents thermal shock, burns or other injuries during use. It also ensures effective and comfortable flushing for the operator.

Several tepid water systems are available, including mixing valves for hot- and cold-water supply lines; turnkey systems with pre-packaged, self-contained heating and mixing valves; instantaneous electric heaters; and steam-fired heaters.

“Ensuring a reliable tepid water delivery system is critical for safeguarding employees during emergencies,” Reichlin says. “It’s incumbent on every facility to implement regular maintenance practices to keep emergency equipment in optimal condition. Running facewash and eyewash stations weekly is recommended to flush out contaminants and ensure proper functionality.”

Additionally, freeze protection valves – which automate the process of removing water in the system before it freezes and can damage equipment – can improve reliability and help maintain equipment uptime.

By installing automatic tepid water systems, facilities can protect employees from the risks of scalding or hypothermia while operating emergency showers and eyewash stations.

These systems enhance safety measures, provide immediate relief during emergencies and, ultimately, create a safer workplace.

Editor's note: This article represents the independent views of the author and should not be considered a National Safety Council endorsement.