Portable Emergency Showers: Everything You Need to Know
Working can be dangerous. Now, while some may consider spilling their coffee dangerous (it can be) there are some lines of work that are objectively more dangerous than others. In industries such as construction, mining, and chemical manufacturing, workers are often exposed to hazardous materials that can cause serious harm to their health. In these professions, safety at the workplace can literally mean life and death, and therefore being prepared for the worst is always critical.
In any workplace where there is even potential of accidental exposure to chemicals, hazardous materials or wastes, it is critical to have a quick and effective way to wash off the contaminants. This is where portable emergency showers come into play. These showers are designed to provide immediate relief to workers in case of an emergency.
The thing is, there are many different types of portable emergency showers, and depending on your profession and where you work, some are better suited to certain situations than others. In this blog we will cover all the reasons you may want a portable emergency shower at your workplace, as well as the different types of emergency portable showers and what situations they are best suited for.
What are Portable Emergency Showers and why are they important?
Emergency showers are showers that can be found at job sites, in labs, in workshops or in any work environment where there are potential hazards to workers' health. They are particularly important where workers are dealing with hazardous chemicals or with metals that can send shards into eyes and onto skin. They are meant to serve as a way to quickly wash those hazardous materials off so that they don’t cause permanent damage to the worker.
What are the benefits of using Portable Emergency Showers in the workplace?
Portable emergency showers are vital in some workplaces, and can provide many benefits in some workplaces where they may not be considered vital. Let’s look at some of the workplaces that use portable emergency showers, and the benefits they can provide in each.
In research labs where workers are dealing with chemicals, portable emergency showers can provide the following benefits:
- Wash chemicals off skin
- Wash chemicals out of eyes
- Quickly wash chemicals off entire body
- Wash chemicals out of mouth and orifices
At construction sites where workers are sawing wood, hammering nails, and cutting metal, portable emergency showers can provide the following benefits:
- Wash wood chips out of eyes
- Wash out cuts and scrapes
- Wash off metal shards
- Wash off tools, boots and equipment
At job sites where plumbers and HVAC technicians are working on equipment, portable emergency showers can provide the following benefits:
- Wash hazardous materials out of eyes and off skin
- Wash off equipment
- Spray out pipes and vents
- Wash off tools, boots and equipment
Types of Portable Emergency Showers
There are different types of portable emergency showers, and they vary greatly in their price and functionality. Let’s look at the different types of emergency portable showers to see what the differences are.
1. Gravity-fed portable safety shower: These showers are filled with water and rely on gravity to deliver the water to the user. They are typically made of plastic and are lightweight and easy to move.Pros:
- Super portable
- Cheap
- Easy to use
- Directional spray
- Easy to transport
Cons:
- Low capacity
- Low water pressure
- No heating options
Pros:
- Super high capacity
- Strong pressure
- Easy to move (on wheels)
- Easy to use
Cons
- Super expensive
- Very large
- Cannot be mounted
- Hard to transport
- One directional spray
Pros:
- Super high pressure
- Privacy enclosure included
- Very high water capacity
- Usually multiple units per trailer
- Like a real shower
- Heating options available
Cons:
- Must be transported on a trailer
- Not very portable
- Extremely expensive
- Cannot be brought into a building
- Only good for showering
Pros
- Super portable
- Medium cost
- Good pressure
- Decent capacity
- Heating options available
- Able to be used for more than showering
- Heating options available
Cons
- Capacity may not be enough depending on use
- Pressure varies based on type
- Heating can be ineffective based on type
- Can be tough to use
The RinseKit PRO is the most versatile, powerful and easy to use portable pressurized shower, and serves perfectly as a portable emergency shower for a wide variety of workplaces. It uses a battery-powered diaphragm pump to pressurize water in a 3.5 gallon tank that is built conveniently into a cooler-sized box. That battery-powered pressurization makes it so the pressure is as strong as your hose at home, and you don’t have to repressurize it.
The RinseKit PRO is ultimate solution for a portable emergency shower for those that need an effective solution without breaking the bank, for the following reasons:
- Easy to Use - Simply fill via top cap and press the power button.
- High pressure - 50 PSI of consistent pressure down to the last drop.
- Super portable - Small size and convenient top handle make it super easy to carry and store.
- Low maintenance - Lead acid battery only needs to be charged once every few months, even with daily use.
- Heating Options Available - There are both propane and electric heating options available for the RinseKit PRO, so if you need hot water on the jobsite the RinseKit can provide it.
- Dynamic - Due to the fact that the PRO uses a hose instead of a shower-based nozzle, it can be used for more than just showering. It’s perfect for washing hands, equipment, eyes and more..
So you can see that the types of portable emergency showers vary greatly in their function, their size and their application. Some are made for use by more people, many may only be useful for washing hands or eyes. So let’s look at each of the types of portable shower to see which type is best for each type of workplace.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Portable Emergency Showers
When choosing a portable emergency shower for your workplace, there are several factors that you should consider to make sure you buy the one that can meet your needs. The factors you should consider include: the type of hazards at the workplace, the number of workers, the duration of exposure, space and storage, water temperature and volume, ease of use and maintenance, and compliance with regulations.
Type of Hazard
The type of hazard in your workplace will determine the type of portable emergency shower that you need. For example, if you work with chemicals that are highly corrosive, you may need a shower that is made of a material that can withstand exposure to these chemicals.
Number of Workers
The number of workers in your workplace will also determine the type of portable emergency shower that you need. If you have a large workforce, you may need a shower that can accommodate multiple workers at once, to ensure that everyone can be decontaminated quickly in the event of an emergency.
Duration of Exposure
The duration of exposure is another important factor to consider when choosing a portable emergency shower. If workers are likely to be exposed to hazardous substances for long periods of time, you may need a higher capacity portable shower that can provide a high volume of water to ensure that they are properly decontaminated.
Space and Storage
The amount of space that you have available in your workplace will also determine the type of portable emergency shower that you can choose. If you have limited space, you may need to choose a smaller, more compact shower that can be easily stored when not in use.
Water Temperature and Volume
The water temperature and volume is also an important consideration. The water should be at a temperature that is comfortable for workers, and should be able to provide enough volume to effectively decontaminate them.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
The ease of use and maintenance of the shower is also important. You should choose a shower that is easy to operate, and that requires minimal maintenance to keep it in good working condition.
Compliance with Regulations
Finally, you should choose a portable emergency shower that is compliant with all relevant regulations and safety standards. This will ensure that your workplace is fully prepared for emergencies, and that your workers are properly protected.
What portable shower is best for my workplace?
So now you can see that there’s many factors to consider when choosing a portable shower for your workplace. Depending on which factors are most important for your situation, one portable shower may be more advantageous than another. Now, let’s look at common workplaces where a portable shower may be needed to determine which is best for each.
Gravity-Fed Portable Showers
Gravity-fed portable showers are a popular choice for workplaces that have limited access to a water supply or that are in remote locations. These types of showers rely on gravity to provide water flow, which means that they can be used in areas where electricity is not available. They are also relatively small and portable, making them a good choice for smaller workplaces with less staff that don’t need a ton of water. However, they may not be suitable for workplaces where a high volume of water is required for decontamination, or where workers are likely to be exposed to hazardous substances that may need high water pressure to knock off contaminants.
Pressurized Portable Showers
Pressurized portable showers use a pump or compressor to pressurize the water, which provides stronger and more consistent pressure than gravity fed showers. They are typically still very portable, and can be mounted or set onto surfaces. Some pressurized portable showers also double as a hose, so they are dynamic in that the water can be sprayed directionally. They still don’t have the capacity that trailer and tank mounted showers have, so may not be sufficient where longer showers are required.
Trailer Mounted Portable Showers
Trailer-mounted portable showers are ideal for larger workplaces or outdoor job sites where workers may be exposed to hazardous substances for extended periods of time. They offer higher capacities and consistent water pressure, making them a suitable choice for workplaces where more water is required to rinse off the contaminants. Additionally, trailer-mounted portable showers are designed to be mobile and easily transported to different job sites, making them a convenient option for workplaces that require frequent movement. They also have a larger water supply and waste water tank, making them environmentally friendly and compliant with regulations.
Tank Mounted Portable Showers
Tank mounted portable showers are great for medium to large sized workplaces where the shower may need to be moved to different locations or stations. They have enough water to shower many people, but have the mobility to be moved around easily via their wheels. While they are great for showering, they aren’t as dynamic as a pressurized portable shower, as the hose is not detachable and cannot be pointed in any other direction but down.
The Most Dynamic and Cost-Effective Portable Emergency Shower
Now, after reviewing the list above, you may be thinking: “I’m not sure which is best for my workplace, but I just want a solution that will work for a variety of situations”. The price tag on some of these solutions can be daunting as well, so if you’re going to make the investment into a portable emergency shower, you probably want to make sure that you’re getting the most for your money. If you're looking for a portable emergency shower solution that is portable, high pressure, decent capacity and that won’t break the bank, you may want to consider a RinseKit portable shower.
As we covered above, the RinseKit PRO is a portable pressurized shower that is the perfect portable emergency shower for a wide variety of workplaces. That’s because it’s the highest pressure, most portable, and versatile portable shower on the market. The following features make the perfect cost-effective solution for most workplaces:
- Battery Pressurized - Means strong and consistent spray pressure, and makes it super easy to use.
- 3.5 Gallon Capacity - Allows for up to 5 minutes of showering / spraying
- Compact and Portable Design - Makes it easy to carry and store
- Heating options available - For hot water anywhere.
- Hose Design - Allows for spraying in different directions, good for washing hands, gear, and eyes.
So you can see that if you’re looking for a dynamic and cost-effective solution for a portable emergency shower at your workplace, the RinseKit PRO is a great option. It’s got everything you need in a portable emergency shower, but is 1/10 the price of some of the alternatives. You can also use it recreationally for camping, surfing, beach days or whatever activity you do outdoors.
In conclusion, portable emergency showers are a must-have in workplaces that deal with hazardous materials. They provide workers with immediate relief in case of accidental exposure, reducing the risk of serious health problems. When choosing a portable emergency shower, it is important to consider factors such as capacity, pressurization, maintenance, heating and more. With a portable emergency shower at your workplace, you can rest easy knowing that if anything happens, you’ll have a pressurized water source available to rinse, sanitize and shower with.