Emergency eyewashes: what are they?
Emergency eyewashes, sometimes called eyewashes or eyewashes, are safety tools that can respond quickly and effectively when a person is contaminated with dust, fumes or other substances.
An eyewash is a safety tool used to protect the eyes from potentially harmful substances or materials. Safety eyewashes thoroughly irrigate the user’s eyes with water to quickly remove any contamination or possible infection.
They are typically used in laboratory environments, but are also useful for those working in sectors such as construction, transport of dangerous goods, first response units, law enforcement, fire and rescue services, among others, where workers may come into contact with hazardous materials.
Simex offers emergency eyewashes in various configurations for this use, including wall-mounted eyewashes, pedestal eyewashes, foot-pedal and hand-held eyewashes and emergency showers with built-in eyewashes. In this post we tell you how to use them correctly, what each of them is for and their advantages.
Why should eye washes be used?
Eyes are one of the most delicate parts of our body. Anyone working in an environment that contains chemicals, dust or other materials that can damage your eyes should wear personal protective equipment. In addition to the well-known safety goggles, it is essential to have a safety eyewash to clean the eyes and prevent possible infections caused by the work environment in which you are working.
When working and exposing our body to harmful elements, we must take extreme precautions because the eyes are a very sensitive organ.
Emergency eyewashes are designed to clean the eyes of workers in case of any kind of accident, leak or spill for this purpose. They bathe the cheeks and eyes while providing aerated water at low pressure without damaging the eye tissues. This prevents eye problems caused by contact with hazardous material.
Advantages of emergency eyewashes:
-They are a quick and affordable alternative to the use of safety glasses, and are a simple and useful technique.
-Simple and accessible: This feature is crucial in case an eyewash is needed.
-Practical: In case of accident or contamination, there are portable emergency eyewashes that can be carried quickly and conveniently. People who work in many different parts of the same space and who are always at risk of contaminating their eyes will find this type of eyewash a great help.
The injured worker must be within 10 seconds of the eyewash. Their operation is different depending on the type (wall-mounted, pedestal, etc.), but they all have the same general purpose of activating to flush damaged eyes and disinfect them immediately, providing a sense of relief from possible eye irritation.
What types of eyewashes are there?
Fixed eyewashes
In a workplace where workers are frequently in contact with substances that can be harmful to the eyes, fixed safety eyewashes are permanently installed.
The key feature of fixed eyewashes is that they are mounted on the floor or wall, and they tend to last longer than portable eyewashes, as they are not continuously moved from place to place, resulting in much less wear and tear.
Depending on the available surface area and materials, there are several types of fixed eyewashes:
– Fixed eyewashes made of PVC or ABS
– Stainless steel eyewashes
For example, fixed eyewashes made of PVC or ABS are recommended for use in areas where acids and other corrosive compounds are present. At Simex, we have models with floor-standing pedestal and models with pedestal, pedal and control to avoid hand contact in case they are also contaminated with the device.
Fixed wall-mounted eyewashes are placed on the wall and come with a warning sign on how to use them correctly. At Simex we have wall-mounted models in ABS and stainless steel.
Floor mounted eyewashes serve the same purpose. The choice depends mainly on the amount of space present in the workspace.
In addition, at Simex we have eyewash models integrated to emergency showers, to facilitate a faster, more complete and accessible overall cleaning in case of an accident. You will find all available models HERE.
How to use eyewashes? Practical advice
Avoid rubbing your eyes when using an eyewash is the first and most important tip before any accident that may damage your eyes.
Despite your efforts to believe that you are removing the contaminating liquid, the reality is that it spreads further as a result of such rubbing.
-It is essential to emphasize that anyone wearing contact lenses should remove them before using the device.
-The environment or the contaminated eye should not be in direct contact with the eye drops.
-At a distance of approximately 150 mm, the best rinsing is achieved.
-In case of eye contamination, emergency services should be contacted.
-To ensure the protection of workers, it is advisable to contact the expert services after using the emergency eyewash.
How to act in case of emergency with an eye shower
The first rule before using the emergency eyewash is not to rub the eye in case of an accident where the eyes are damaged by a chemical or hazardous substance. The material will spread much further if rubbed. Actions to take in case of an emergency are as follows:
1.Remove contact lenses.
Contact lenses should be removed as soon as possible from the sick person, as they will spread the infection and render the eye drops ineffective.
2.Correctly position the eyes in the eyewash.
Place the eyes in front of a fixed or mobile eyewash. To put your head in a standing eyewash, stand up; to use a portable eyewash, tilt your head and place the product in the proper position.
3.Be attentive
Open your eyes and let the water run after turning on the faucet. Even if the contamination has only affected one eye, always wash both eyes.
4.Low eyewash water pressure
If the pressure rises too high, it could damage the eyeball and cause damage. The jet should be at low pressure.
5.Watering time
Irrigate for a minimum of 15 minutes.
6.Contact emergency service.
Someone must make the call to the emergency service while the eyewash is being irrigated.
7.Apply the remedy correctly.
Apply the eyewash solution to the bridge of the nose. Particles could get back into the eyes if applied directly to the eyeball.
8.Put a gauze pad over the eyes.
Wash from the nose to the ears. It is advised to use clean gauze to cover the eyes and seek help immediately.
In most companies and laboratories, emergency showers and eyewashes are an essential and practical safety measure. They can considerably reduce the damage caused by splashes of acids, bases, organic compounds and other hazardous or corrosive substances on the face, body or in case of fire. They are crucial in the event of an accident to prevent further damage to the person and reduce its repercussions.
Discover Simex eyewash and emergency showers models HERE .
