Why do emergency showers need to be activated weekly?

In many industries, having an emergency safety shower on site (be it fixed or mobile) is an absolute must to ensure worker safety. It is not enough to simply have an emergency safety shower on your worksite; you must ensure that it is well-maintained and functional at all times. For this reason, it is mandatory to test emergency safety showers once a week.

Why do emergency showers need to be activated weekly?

By activating your emergency safety shower(s) once a week, you’re effectively flushing the pipework, which prevents sediment and blockages from building up. It also mitigates the risk of Legionella developing. Left unchecked, such blockage could not only hinder, but potentially compromise the effectiveness of the shower unit should an emergency arise. Always be prepared.

What should I look out for during a safety shower activation?

• Does the unit go from ‘off’ to ‘on’ within 1 second of activation?

• Is there a steady, uninterrupted flow of water?

• Does the supply valve remain open (unless deliberately closed)?

• Is the water running clear?

• Are there any signs of leakage?

If your emergency shower fails any of these checks, it is essential that you get them rectified as soon as possible. Emergencies by their nature don’t give forewarning, so it is vital that your showers are functional at all times, should such a situation arise.

We hope that this short piece has been helpful in giving you an overview of why emergency showers must be activated weekly and what to look out for. For more information on safety shower requirements, call our PPE experts on 0402 32116 (Arklow) or 021 484 1370 (Cork).