Safety showers vs hygiene showers

Many regulations call for ‘hygiene facilities’ or ‘washing stations,’ but these broad terms can lead to a false sense of security. In reality, standard sinks and showers may not provide the rapid, thorough decontamination needed if there's a chemical spill or splash. Without the right emergency equipment, workers remain at risk of serious injury.

In workplaces where hazardous substances can cause severe irritation or harm to the skin or eyes, there’s no substitute for a professionally installed safety shower or eye/face wash station.

A safety shower (or chemical or emergency shower) provides immediate decontamination when hazardous substances come into contact with a person’s skin, clothing, or personal protective equipment (PPE). Once activated, it delivers a continuous flow of water to quickly rinse away contaminants, minimising the risk of serious injury.

While some safety showers include built-in eye wash stations, their high water pressure makes them unsuitable for flushing chemicals from the eyes.

An eye wash station is specifically designed for gentle, targeted decontamination, flushing dust, chemicals, or other irritants from the eyes. Its controlled flow rate ensures thorough rinsing while minimising further irritation or injury.

Key requirements of a safety shower

• Flow Rate: Minimum 76 litres per minute (20 US gallons per minute)
• Flush Duration: Must operate for at least 15 minutes
• Water Temperature: Tepid (between 16-38°C / 60-100°F) throughout use
• Water Quality: Must use potable (clean and safe) water
• Location: Must be accessible within 10 seconds of a potential hazard
• Activation: Valve must go from ‘off’ to ‘on’ in one second or less, and remain open without use of the operator’s hands until intentionally closed

Key requirements of an eye wash

• Flow Rate: Minimum 11.4 litres per minute (3 US gallons per minute)
• Flush Duration: Must operate for at least 15 minutes
• Water Temperature: Tepid (between 16-38°C / 60-100°F) throughout use
• Water Quality: Must use potable (clean and safe) water
• Location: Must be accessible within 10 seconds of a potential hazard
• Activation: Hands-free operation once activated
• Nozzle Placement: Must provide proper eye irrigation and help keep eyelids open for effective flushing

Safety showers vs hygiene showers: What’s the difference? 

While both involve washing, safety showers and hygiene showers serve completely different purposes in the workplace.

• Hygiene showers are for routine washing and commonly found in staff changing rooms.
• Safety showers provide emergency decontamination, rapidly flushing hazardous substances from skin, clothing, and PPE to prevent injury.

Summary

Safety showers are a legal requirement in workplaces handling hazardous substances, providing rapid decontamination in emergencies. Unlike hygiene showers, they are designed to minimise injury risks and ensure regulatory compliance.

For more information, visit www.hughes-safety.com