The Role of Emergency Safety Showers in the Food & Drink Production Industry

Food & drink manufacturing is with a doubt one of Ireland’s largest industries, with exports of €13 billion per annum. Accordingly, it accounts for a high proportion of the overall employment market in Ireland. Like any industry, it presents its own risks to those involved with the production process, and Safety Officers and Facility Managers need to be mindful of these risks and ensure that workers are provided with the appropriate PPE. This PPE extends beyond protective clothing and workwear, and in this article we shall discuss why Emergency Safety Showers are a vital piece of PPE for food and drink production facilities.

Food & Drink Production Workers Need Access to Safety Showers to Protect Them from Chemicals

Food and drink production facilities use a high amount of detergents, soaps and disinfectant in order to provide a sterile and hygienic process. While this is of course vital for the safe production of food and drink, it can in of itself prevent a risk to those involved in the process, being extremely potent materials. For this reason, it is essential that workers have ready, unhindered access to an Emergency Safety Shower should they become exposed to one of these chemicals.

The chemicals used in the refrigeration process also present a risk to those working in food and drink production facilities. Those working with such material must, of course, be wearing appropriate PPE to begin with. However, should a person’s skin be exposed to refrigerant, it is of the utmost important that they are brought to an Emegerncy Safety Shower as quickly as possible to mitigate against further harm to the skin.

Where Should Emergency Safety Showers Be Sited in a Food/Drink Production Facility?

Emergency Safety Showers are required to be located within a minimum* 20 metres or 10 seconds reach of a chemical hazard (and on the same level as the hazard). The Emergency Safety Shower should be readily accessible, unobstructed, and with appropriate signage. It is also essential that all employees working on the site are briefed on how to use it.

What Standards do Emergency Safety Showers Need to Meet?

The recognised standards for Emergency Safety Showers are the European Standard, EN 15154 and also the (internationally recognised) American standard, ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014. In addition, Emergency Safety Showers located in a food/drink production facility should be made of stainless-steel (so as to be easy to clean, while also resistant to corrosion).

If you’re looking to install an Emergency Safety Shower in your food/drink manufacturing facility, or want to make sure your existing one meets current standards, call our team today on 0402 32116 or email sales@mahealy.ie. We are an authorised Irish distributor for the Hughes Safety Showers range, and, with decades of experience in providing Safety Showers and other PPE to businesses across Ireland, our team will be happy to help you with your requirements.