When asked to name the risks associated with construction sites, many people will naturally think of physical threats, perhaps heavy material falling on a worker, someone slipping and falling, or losing their balance while working at height. These are indeed all major risks that all construction managers and their workers need to be constantly mindful of. However, airborne and solvent-based risks pose just as much of a severe threat to everyone engaged in construction work, and are a reason why all construction sites should have an emergency safety shower and eye wash station as part of their essential PPE arsenal. Let’s explore why.
Construction Site Solvents, Their Dangers, and Why Emergency Safety Showers Are a Must
Solvents, such as paints, adhesives, cleaning fluids, and other chemicals, present a persistent danger to all those involved in work on a construction project. Unprotected contact with substances such as these can lead to skin problems, nerve or even brain damage, and burns. All efforts must be made to prevent workers from directly coming into contact (or inhaling) these such material, and our sister company, M.A. Healy & Sons Ltd., has a comprehensive article covering the requisite areas of PPE for construction workers. However, should someone become exposed to dangerous solvents or chemicals, then it is critical that they have ready access to an emergency safety shower and eye wash station to flush the harmful material off their bodies and out of their eyes. No matter how low the risk, when solvents and chemicals are involved safety officers must ensure that their construction site has emergency safety showers and eye wash stations on site.
Emergency Safety Showers and Eye Wash Stations Mitigate the Risk of Harmful Dust on Construction Sites
Dust is another ever-present hazard for construction sites, and can cause severe irritation and, depending on the type of dust, life-changing damage to the body. For example, silica dust can cause lung cancer and kidney disease. Once again, it is vital that workers at risk of exposure to harmful dust have ready, unhindered, access to an emergency safety shower unit and eye wash station.Â
No matter what type of construction site you operate, you should never neglect the risk of exposure to solvents or harmful dust when establishing your safety management system. Gaslines Ltd. has been an authorised distributor for the Hughes Safety Shower range in Ireland for decades, and is happy to advise you on the most appropriate unit for your construction sites. If a steady water supply is a hindrance we can supply mobile units, if temperature is a problem we can supply heated units, etc. For more information give us a call today at 0402 32116 (Arklow) or 021 484 1370 (Cork) and we’ll be happy to advise on the best PPE solutions for your construction site.
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