Safety shower

Where corrosive or skin-absorbed chemicals are used, the first seconds after contact matter most. A safety shower lets a person wash off a large splash without needing help to find a hose or sink. It is typically paired with an Eyewash station (ANSI Z358.1), and ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 covers both types of equipment. For showers it calls for a flow of at least 20 gallons (75.7 liters) per minute of tepid water that can be sustained for at least 15 minutes.

Location is as important as the equipment. The shower should be close to the hazard, on a clear path with no obstacles or closed doors, and visible with a sign. The pull handle should be easy to reach, and the water should be tepid so that a person is not discouraged from staying under it. Tepid water also reduces the risk of cold shock.

When using it, the person should activate the shower and remove contaminated clothing, shoes and jewelry while under the water, and stay in the flow for as long as the SDS first-aid section directs; 15 minutes or more is common advice for corrosive chemicals, and the shower is built to supply at least that long. Others should call for help and not delay washing to look for a spill label. After washing, medical attention is advised.

Plumbed showers need regular testing to make sure they flow and drain, and records should be kept. Where freezing is possible, tempered or heated units are needed. Showers are not a substitute for avoiding exposure through Personal protective equipment (PPE), and they do not replace Decontamination procedures for responders. After use, the water on the floor needs cleanup, as it may carry chemical residue.