Importance of Maintaining Laboratory Emergency Equipment─Showers and Eyewashes

Abstract

Safety showers and eyewash stations are some of the most important and most recognizable safety features in laboratories, and their regular maintenance is necessary to ensure that they operate as expected in the event of an incident. In this case study, the improper installation of a safety shower in a high school chemistry laboratory led to failure of the shower during in-class activation. This case study ultimately describes a positive outcome as the activation revealed the fault prior to an emergency. Several recommendations for ensuring proper installation and encouraging regular assessment of safety equipment are made.