How to use Safety Showers when there is a hazard? Recommendations from PPE ONLINE

When handling hazardous materials in factories, laboratories, or other workplaces, there’s a lot of factors to consider in assuring personnel safety. As a final level of protection, emergency showers and eyewash stations need to remain visible, easily accessible, and reliable. This way, they can sufficiently combat any chemicals or other hazardous materials that may make contact with one’s eyes or body. Emergency eyewash stations, as well as shower equipment, are addressed by ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014: American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment. This standard, written and published by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), an ANSI-accredited standards developing organization, establishes minimum performance and use guidelines for eyewash and shower equipment for the emergency treatment of the eyes or body of someone who has been exposed to hazardous materials. Dubai Municipality has issued Technical Guideline (72) specifically addressing the provision of emergency eyewash and shower facilities. This guideline outlines the requirements for the installation, maintenance, and accessibility of such equipment in workplaces. While the full text of the guideline is not detailed in the provided sources, it is part of a comprehensive list of health and safety technical guidelines published by the municipality.

Safety Showers: 
Safety showers are specialized showers that provide a high volume of water to rinse the full body in case of accidental exposure to hazardous materials. They are typically installed near hazardous areas or areas where hazardous materials are used and stored. Emergency showers provide on the spot decontamination for anyone who has been involved in an accident that has resulted in any part of their body coming into contact with hazardous chemicals. According to COSSH, the government’s health and safety regulations, emergency showers are essential equipment for labs, construction sites, factories, chemical plants and anywhere where hazardous substances are used. Emergency showers are designed to wash the individual’s head and body with large volumes of water, flushing the chemicals away from the body, thereby mitigating the effects of damage caused by exposure to these substances

Where should an emergency shower be installed?
In broad terms, emergency showers should be in places that are visible and easy to reach. More specifically, they should be reachable within 10 seconds and directly adjacent to areas where corrosive chemicals are being handled.

  1. Ceiling mounted shower: Ceiling mounted showers operate with a pull rod and should be installed at a height between 210cm and 230cm above where the user will stand. One of the benefits of a ceiling mounted shower is that it is space saving.
  2. Floor mounted shower: Floor mounted showers are ideal for outdoor use, they operate with a foot paddle and can be manufactured with or without an eyewash.
  3. Platform operated shower: Platform operated showers are ideally used in workplaces where floors are dirty or slippery. Platforms are made of galvanized steel and designed with grip in mind. The platform operated shower can be available with or without an eyewash and its greatest feature is that it turns on automatically as the user steps onto the platform.
  4. Wall mounted shower: Wall mounted showers, like ceiling mounted showers, are space saving and operate with a pull handle. Unlike a ceiling mounted shower, they can be mounted on a wall both indoors and outdoors.
  5. Platform Operated Booth: The platform operated decontamination booth is the most effective of its kind, thanks to its 14 spray heads placed to provide full body coverage. Like the platform operated shower, the platform operated booth also turns on as the user steps onto the platform. This is also the most effective shower in case of an emergency.

How to use an emergency shower: From the moment a corrosive chemical meets skin, it causes tissue damage that gets more serious with every second that passes. That’s why getting to the shower ASAP should be every individual’s main priority.

  1. If you get chemical contamination on your skin resulting from an accident, yell for help if someone else is in the lab.
  2. Immediately go to the nearest emergency shower and pull the activation handle.
  3. Once under the stream of water, begin removing your clothing to wash off all chemicals. In some instances, clothing may not be removed (although it is best to remove contaminated clothing), it is more important to flush away chemical contamination.
  4. Keep flushing for at least 15 minutes or until help arrives. The importance of flushing for at least 15 minutes cannot be overstated! If you spill Hydrofluoric acid on yourself, follow the special Hydrofluoric acid precautions.
  5. If you are alone, call 911 after you have finished flushing for at least 15 minutes.
  6. Seek medical attention


At PPE ONLINE, we pride ourselves on being one of the leading suppliers of high-quality safety showers and emergency eyewash units in the UAE. Our products are engineered to meet international safety standards, including ANSI/ISEA Z358.1, and are fully compliant with UAE local regulations such as those outlined by Dubai Municipality and OSHAD. Whether you operate in industrial, chemical, construction, or laboratory environments, our range ensures immediate and effective first response in case of hazardous exposure.

With robust design, corrosion-resistant materials, easy installation, and maintenance-friendly features, our emergency safety equipment delivers reliable performance in the demanding Gulf climate. Backed by exceptional customer service and fast delivery across the Emirates, PPE ONLINE is your trusted partner for workplace safety.

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