Safety showers and eye baths help minimise the damage caused to workers by contamination with harmful materials. Showers are usually simple to operate and, when purchased from a reputable manufacturer, will deliver the necessary amount of water at the right pressure when required. However there are barriers that prevent effective use of these devices.

Many people would not be happy at the prospect of stripping off in front of their work colleagues, and this fear of public nudity should not be underestimated in the context of safety shower use. 

Good practice, in the event of a chemical spill, is to remove ALL contaminated clothing. If someone is in agony from a serious acid spill then it is likely that social taboos will be put aside swiftly, but most acid spills are not that extreme, or at least do not appear to be initially. The reluctance to strip is strong enough to prevent many people doing so, even in the event of contamination with substances they know to be dangerous. Failure to remove all clothing can result in worsening the damage sustained by a contaminated individual.                                                                             

Most accidents with dangerous materials are down to handling errors. Either the correct PPE was not used or a procedure was not followed. Some blame will be attached to the person who has an accident. This is particularly true of highly efficient work places that prides themselves on excellence. While this type of culture excels at preventing accidents, it can sometimes create a barrier to correct action being undertaken when they do.

The perception of blame and the potential wrath or scorn of management and co-workers can result in a psychological barrier to using safety equipment. 

Over time the perception can be that the shower is a waste of space or, worse, it simply isn’t noticed. This can lead to potentially dangerous actions. The space beneath a shower needs to be kept clear. However, if the shower is viewed as essentially useless then this space may become cluttered. The enclosed nature of the tank shower lends itself to becoming a makeshift storage area and, in outdoor workplaces, tank showers may be seen as a good place for a cigarette or tea break, as they offer some protection from the elements.

Such ad-hoc ‘re-purposing’ of safety showers could prove disastrous if an accident did happen – increased risk of harm due to delays in treatment and the litigation risk would increase as it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the shower is accessible.

Safety concerns have to be seen as paramount within the working culture of the business such that it becomes more of a taboo to breach safety protocol than, for example, to strip completely when entering a safety shower. Achieving this cultural change is often difficult, but there are steps that can be taken:                                                                         

Panelled showers

It may seem a luxury to enclose a safety shower in panels to give privacy, but if the investment means workers will be more inclined to remove all contaminated clothing, then it could save lives or at least reduce harm. 

Catchment sumps

A catchment sump under the shower or eye bath will help prevent run-off liquid from causing disruption to others. If combined with side panels, all water should be contained. It may be that such features are desirable due to other considerations such as contamination worries or the proximity of water sensitive equipment.

Platform activation

A simple solution to the ‘re-purposing’ of showers is to include platform activation. As soon as any weight is placed on the panel under the shower it activates. Someone who gets a soaking after popping into the shower for a crafty fag is unlikely to do so again.

Creating a culture where safety is the primary focus of all workers is often difficult. Where safety showers are concerned, adding certain product features may ensure that the shower works with the existing psychology of workers, creating a safer environment for all.