It’s a challenge to keep workers safe in an oil and gas industry environment – especially workers on rigs and at refineries. With the many dangers facing workers in such environments, having a self-contained, gravity-fed safety shower is ideal. Many refineries are excellent potential beneficiaries of self-contained, gravity-fed emergency safety shower systems. However, due to seismic and wind load requirements, most gravity-fed systems require a foundation.
What are Common Issues Associated with Digging at Refineries?
Digging at refineries can have negative consequences, one being that it’s prohibitively expensive. It also requires multiple permits – and current information about below-grade systems may not be available, due to the age of many such facilities. This creates a predicament where the refinery needs the gravity-fed showers, but it’s costly to install them. When piped water becomes affected by harsh climates, it compromises the tepid ANSI Z358.1-required temperature of the fluid (60° to 100°F).
Environmental conditions pose many challenges to the safety and integrity of emergency equipment operation, including emergency safety showers. Along with water temperature, air temperature is another cause for concern. Extreme cold or hot temperatures require an enclosed shower, so accident victims can complete the full 15-minute drenching treatment for both skin and eyes. In frigid temperatures, even with the supplied water in the required temperature range, a victim has an increased risk of hypothermia.
When it comes to accessibility to an emergency safety shower, location, location, location becomes a big issue if you must pipe water. Since the ANSI standard requires that a shower/eyewash station is on the same level as workers and within 10 seconds, it can challenge oil refineries that lack the space. A huge concern also involves explosion hazards in the oil and gas industry and requires a distinct, specialized design. This is why an above-grade foundation from ATS ShieldSafe® is the best answer to this predicament and others mentioned.
Why Choose an ATS ShieldSafe Emergency Safety Shower?
Ensuring worker safety remains a top priority for facilities, especially in dangerous environments that include oil refineries. At ATS ShieldSafe, we believe in helping companies stay compliant and protect their employees. Workers stay safe on-site and companies stay compliant with the installation of all our safety showers. More reasons why you should choose ATS ShieldSafe include:
- State and Federal compliance – To protect workers, OSHA increased their health and safety standards related to safety showers and eyewashes. ATS ShieldSafe is a leader in the industry, with safety showers designed to fully comply with ANSI requirements.
- · Self-contained, gravity-fed convenience – In places with no potable or low-flow water, there’s no need to pipe water with our high-quality SafetyRig™. This safety shower is compliant and built tough to withstand harsh climates.
- Easy to update and customize – Our showers have many features and are easily customizable, depending on your needs and regulatory requirements. Having this ability allows you to save on hassle and expensive replacement costs.
- Remote location accessibility – There are many factors that go into choosing a safety shower, including the location of the refinery. Our well-designed cubicle or portable emergency safety showers allow you to move the showers to the best location around the site. They are also perfect for hard-to-access areas, along with above-grade foundations.
Contact ATS ShieldSafe Today
We would love to hear from you about your safety shower needs, so please call ATS ShieldSafe today at 800.747.9953. Our representatives have the expertise to ensure your questions and concerns are addressed and that you choose the best safety shower for your needs.
