Here at Storemasta, we often see emergency decontamination equipment fall into disrepair and non-compliance due to poor housekeeping practices. However, this can be easily prevented by training your staff to use and maintain safety showers and eyewash stations in the correct way. We’ll explain how to conduct staff training, so your safety showers and eyewash stations operate at an optimum level.
REMEMBER: Buying and installing emergency equipment is only one step in the safety process. Effective staff training and ongoing supervision is critical for all safety equipment.
Safety shower and eyewash station training is essential for the safety of workers and the longevity of the equipment. There are many aspects to staff training, including considerations for awareness, emergency response, equipment testing, maintenance and housekeeping.
Training can be in many forms, with onsite training, group activities, simulations, video tutorials, online courses and instructor-led training all options that can assist organisations improve safety and awareness for their team members.
Your training and induction program should begin with awareness training that focuses on identifying and locating the safety showers and eyewash stations. Your induction program might give workers an overall site plan which indicates the location of each decontamination station, but then narrows down into their individual work areas.
Eyewash station training should include procedures for emergency response.
Your awareness training will ensure that workers:
Emergency response training demonstrates to workers the exact procedures to follow if they (or co-workers) are exposed to hazardous materials or receive chemical burns. This training is most effective in one-on-one sessions where workers can practice using the equipment and following the full emergency procedure. The learning is then reinforced through simulated emergencies and drill responses.
The training program should cover at a minimum:
What happens if a worker is sprayed with caustic liquid and the safety shower won’t work? It’s a requirement of Australian Safety Standards that plumbed emergency eyewash and safety showers are activated and tested at least once a week. But this won’t happen unless you train your managers and line supervisors, then put a system in place to make sure it’s always carried out.
An activation test is more than turning on a tap and seeing if water comes out. You’ll be visually appraising each unit and ensuring the area is free of obstructions and potential hazards.
We recommend the following safety shower and eyewash station testing considerations:
REMEMBER: You’ll need to ensure that enough workers/supervisors are trained to carry out the test, so the units are verified at least once a week.
REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE: A lab worker in the US required emergency care after using an eyewash facility that had been contaminated. A co-worker had been using the eyewash taps to clean lab glassware and stainless-steel chemical trays, and the eye nozzles had become covered with cleaning agents.
To avoid situations like the above example, make sure that housekeeping practices are maintained —and the equipment is always being properly used.
Train your workers and contractors in the correct housekeeping and operational procedures, then provide enough supervision so they keep the emergency decontamination equipment clean and don’t misuse it.
Your weekly inspections should have triggers and corrective actions in place if staff are identified to be:
REMEMBER: Even the most efficient and reliable worker will sometimes be tempted to use an eyewash or safety shower for washing hands and equipment if they must walk distances to access hand washing and cleaning bays. Position utility stations in practical areas that make it easy for workers to do the right thing.
For more information about selecting, installing, using, and maintaining safety equipment such as a safety shower and eyewash station, we’ve created a helpful guide. How to select and use compliant emergency showers and eyewash equipment is a free detailed compliance guide for busy HSE Managers or line supervisors with WHS responsibilities. By making sure your emergency decontamination equipment stays effective and compliant, you can successfully manage emergency situations – and decrease risk to your workforce. Grab your free eBook now to find out more about essential safety equipment.