Sight is Priceless: Why Your Business Can't Afford to Skip a Dedicated Eyewash Unit

Work accidents can happen at any time to anyone. Chemicals can splash, pipes can burst, or fine dust can cloud a room, and when these incidents occur there is no time to think. If there is no eyewash station within arm’s reach of the worker these accidents can quickly become life altering injuries. 

At Gaslines Ltd. we have years of experience supplying top of the range Hughes Safety Shower eyewash products across the pharma, construction, manufacturing, and engineering sectors. If your business involves you or your employees being exposed to potential eye damaging incidents here is a breakdown of the specific Hughes Safety eyewash units we stock and why they are crucial for your workplace. 

The Hughes Safety Eyewash Range at Gaslines 

1. The Hughes Optiwash®

The Optiwash® is a sleek, highly visible solution engineered specifically for tight spaces or wall-mounted applications.

• Capacity & Flow: Holds 38 litres of water, delivering the mandatory continuous flow of 1.5 litres per minute for a full 15 minutes.

• Smart Design: Features a delivery manifold that drains unused water away after use. This prevents stagnant water from sitting in the nozzle and significantly reduces the risk of bacterial growth.

• Activation: Features a pull down manifold. 

• Best For: Indoor facilities, laboratory walls, tight corridors, or workspaces where floor space is limited.

  
  

Link to datasheet: https://www.hughes-safety.com/gb/mwdownloads/download/link/id/34/ 

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQqdBHOdgqY&t=13s 

2. The Hughes STD-68G

 

The STD-68G is a self-contained unit designed for industrial environments where a continuous mains water supply is unavailable. 

• Capacity & Flow: Holds 45 litres of water, delivering the mandatory continuous flow of 1.5 litres per minute for a full 15 minutes.

• Mounting Versatility: It comes with a heavy duty wall bracket for wall mounting, but also a flat bottom meaning it can also be safely placed directly onto a tabletop, workbench, or flat surface.

• Activation: Features a pull down manifold. 

• Best For: Industrial chemical areas, factories, workshops, or sites requiring a heavy duty, standalone station. 

  
  

Link to datasheet: https://www.hughes-safety.com/gb/mwdownloads/download/link/id/42/ 

3. The Hughes STD-38G 

The stainless steel cylinder acts as a self-contained, highly mobile first-aid station when a fixed installation isn't possible.

• Capacity & Flow: Holds 15 litres of water, providing 6 litres per minute of potable water for two minutes

• Smart Design: Built from durable stainless steel and pressurized by a Schrader valve. It features an integrated pressure gauge on top to prevent over pressurization and a safety valve for easy venting during maintenance.

• Activation: Operates via a hand held Optiflex hose with a trigger mechanism.

• Best For: Situations where small spillages of chemicals are possible and hazardous to the health of employees.

  
  

Link to datasheet: https://www.hughes-safety.com/gb/mwdownloads/download/link/id/55/ 

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujudTdTUH9o&t=1s

4. The Hughes STD-45G

Connected directly to a mains water supply, it features an ASA closed bowl design, offering durability along with chemical and UV resistance for indoor use (or warmer outdoor climates). 

• Capacity & Flow: Unlimited continuous flow provided by your mains connection.

• Smart Design: Features a dust protecting lid that covers the bowl when not in use. This ensures the eyewash diffusers stay entirely clean and free from contamination until needed.

• Activation: Pull the lid forward/down, and the water valve activates automatically. It can also be fitted with an optional hands free foot treadle.

• Best For: Permanent industrial facilities, manufacturing floors, workshops, laboratories, and fixed chemical handling areas.

  
  

Link to datasheet: https://www.hughes-safety.com/gb/mwdownloads/download/link/id/11/ 

How to Correctly Use an Eyewash Unit

Purchasing the unit is only the first step in ensuring eye safety, you also need to know exactly how to use it. 

1. Route to the Station: Must be within a 10 second walk from the hazard, on the same level, and free of obstacles.

2. Hold Eyes Open: Force eyelids open with fingers to let the water flush behind the lids, stopping the natural reflex to blink.

3. Roll the Eyeballs: Gently rotate eyes in all directions to ensure the entire surface is cleansed.

4. Flush for 15 Minutes: (For the Optiwash, STD-68G, and STD-45G) Do not stop early. Chemical neutralisation takes time.

5. Seek Medical Attention: Always treat an emergency eyewash as the crucial first step before seeking professional medical care.

This article is not exhaustive, but we hope it has given you a better understanding of why your business can't afford to skip a dedicated eyewash unit. Don't wait for an accident to happen to realise your site was under prepared.

For more information, please feel free to get in touch with our team of experts. You can call us on 0402 32116 (Arklow) or 021 484 1370 (Cork), or email us at sales@mahealy.ie