SAFETY
Eyewash on a mobile safety shower in use
PROACTIVE PROTECTION T
Wendy Baker explains how mine operators can deploy innovative technical solutions to help them maintain best practice when it comes to worker safety
he risk of exposure to hazardous contaminants within the mining industry is high. From the excavation of the ore through to its marketable form, the raw materials and chemical processes involved pose a danger to worker safety. Personal protective equipment (PPE) contributes to a safe workplace and is required by law to control substances that are hazardous to health. Specifi c site standards and detailed risk assessments help determine the steps that should be taken to protect the safety of employees. However, health and safety guidelines surrounding hazardous substances and decontamination can be diffi cult to decipher. Guidelines often recommend the
provision of ‘hygiene procedures’ or ‘washing facilities’ to ensure potentially harmful substances are removed before a worker
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moves on to another task or fi nishes work for the day. An ordinary shower or sink is not enough to achieve complete decontamination, especially in the event of an accidental chemical spill or splash. Where a substance can cause harm or severe irritation to skin or eyes, the fi rst 10 seconds following exposure is critical to minimise serious injury. It’s imperative that a specifi cally designed safety shower or eye/face wash is provided to eff ectively decontaminate in the event of an accident or to clean PPE prior to removal. Safety showers and eye washes are manufactured to operate according to International and European standards, ANSI Z358.1-2014 and EN 15154, which recommend performance requirements for this equipment to ensure an eff ective decontamination.
WATER TEMPERATURE According to ANSI, safety showers and eye wash equipment should deliver tepid water in the range of 16-38°C. T e human body strives to maintain a steady internal temperature within a normal range of 32 to 38°C. When the body encounters water temperature signifi cantly above or below its core temperature, it instinctively reacts. A higher water temperature may scald
the injured person, adding temperature burns to their chemical injury. Hotter water may also cause skin to absorb more of the hazardous chemicals. T e opposite reaction occurs when the body experiences extreme cold. Lower temperatures can lead to hypothermia or thermal shock. People are also less likely to remove contaminated clothing and PPE if the water is too cold. Clothes containing chemical residue will prolong exposure and exacerbate burns if not removed.
Whether the water is scalding or freezing, the natural human reaction is to
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