Reliable Emergency Decontamination Solutions for Marine Platforms from Hughes Safety Showers

• The global number of offshore oil and gas platforms currently in operation exceeds 1,300.
• Offshore wind is gaining significant investment: projected spending is set to soar from £17.7 billion in 2024 to £51 billion in 2025, targeting approximately 32 GW of new capacity.
• The marine energy market (tidal, wave, OTEC, etc.) reached £1.5 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.1% between 2025 and 2034.

These statistics reflect a highly profitable, expanding industry where investment is robust and the need for safety infrastructure—including emergency safety showers—is critical.

Chemical Hazards in Marine Offshore Operations
Chemical handling is unavoidable for many workers in offshore environments. Common hazardous agents include: Hydrochloric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Sulphuric acid, Hydrocarbon solvents, Hydrogen sulphide gas. A splash of any of these chemicals on unprotected skin or eyes can result in chemical burns, permanent scarring, and/or vision loss—making immediate decontamination critical.

How Safety Showers Protect Workers from Chemical Spills
Safety showers and eyewash stations are a frontline defence in emergencies. As per safety standards, employers must provide “suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body” in areas handling corrosive substances.

To comply and maximise safety, facilities should follow the ANSI standard:
• Minimum flow: ≥ 20 gallons/minute (76 L/min) for at least 15 minutes.
• Water temperature: Tepid (60-100 °F / 16-38 °C) to prevent hypothermia or scalding.
• Accessibility: Within 10 seconds reach and on the same level as the hazard, with clear signage and unobstructed.
• Activation: The valve of the unit must open within 1 second and remain on until manually shut.
• Coverage: Shower must drench entire body; eyewash must irrigate both eyes effectively.
• Maintenance and training: Weekly activation and inspection to clear contamination, detailed record keeping, and worker training. Professional servicing should be carried out annually.

Installing compliant safety showers dramatically reduces the severity of chemical exposures, helping to minimise the severity of injury and potentially saving lives.

Unique Offshore Site Challenges

Marine offshore platforms and vessels present distinctive challenges for deploying safety showers:
1. Remote location: Offshore rigs are often miles from shore. Plumbed water systems on rigs may not meet constant flow and temperature requirements—especially in cold seas.
2. Environmental exposure: Salt spray, extreme winds and low temperatures can impair pipes and shower units, risking freezing or corrosion.
3. Space constraints: Limited deck space requires compact yet effective shower designs.

These factors mean traditional safety shower systems often need adaptation—or alternative solutions like self-contained tank-fed units.

Hughes Safety Showers: Solutions for Offshore Challenges
Hughes Safety Showers offers both standard and bespoke options tailored for offshore sites:

Tank Fed Safety Showers
Our 1500 litre tank-fed safety showers provide over 15 minutes of water at 76 litres per minute, providing your workers with a full decontamination even in remote regions without a water source. The durable stainless steel frame and GRP panelling is built to resist corrosion and the harsh conditions of offshore sites. An optional internal eyewash acts as an all-in-one decontamination solution along with many other customisable elements to suit all site requirements.

Plumbed-in Solutions
For sites with a reliable water supply, the STD-MH-5KS/11KS is a plumbed-in immersion-heated unit designed to withstand cooler environments. The safety shower features a built-in eyewash station for independent or simultaneous use and is functional in temperatures down to -35C, providing a thorough decontamination even in environments below freezing. The unit also features a handheld eye bath which can be used by another worker to decontaminate a casualty who may be incapacitated.

Engineered Custom Solutions
For sites with unique requirements our team can work meticulously with yours to provide bespoke solutions. Whether self-contained units or connected to freshwater potable water sources, Hughes have over 5 decades of extensive expertise engineering and building to our customers’ exact needs. Hughes ensures compliance with EN and ANSI standards, even in the most unforgiving environments.

Ready to Enhance Your Site’s Safety?
Proper emergency decontamination equipment isn’t just regulatory—it’s lifesaving. Hughes Safety Showers provides tailored safety shower systems built for the marine offshore industry, whether you need a durable tank-fed unit or a fully engineered installation designed for extreme and remote conditions.