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Chemical Splash Curtains and Their Applications in Different Industries

Chemical Safety Splash Curtains Uses

Chemical splash curtains act as safety barriers for protecting workers and the overall workplace from dangerous chemicals, vapors, and spills. Made from PVC vinyl and other specialized materials, they strongly resist chemical splashes. Installing chemical splash curtains is also an effective way to meet OSHA’s standards for achieving chemical hazard safety.

Chemical curtains are not designed for a specific industry. They are a worthwhile investment for any industry exposed to hazardous chemicals. So, whichever industry you are a part of, knowing the role of chemical splash curtains in specific industries will enable you to safeguard your industrial operations.

Let’s explore the industries where chemical splash curtains can be used the most:

Oil and Gas Industry

Workers in the oil and gas industry are routinely exposed to flammable substances. The gases (such as benzene and hydrogen sulfide), petroleum, and some dangerous by-products are a few examples. That’s why oil and gas companies give the highest priority to fire prevention. Fire-resistant chemical splash curtains can prevent the fire from spreading to other departments in case the ignition occurs.

Oil and gas companies are also at a higher risk of experiencing chemical leaks. These hazardous substances are prone to causing environmental damage. Consequently, this might result in the contamination of water sources, the soil, and the overall ecosystem. The marine life can suffer from its catastrophic effects in the long run. However, chemical splash curtains contribute to limiting the spread of such chemical leaks during the drilling operations. This helps oil and gas companies contain hazardous chemicals within a restricted space.

Textile Industry

Textile manufacturing companies use various chemicals to dye, bleach, print, and finish fabrics. Though the usage of these chemicals is unavoidable, they pose health risks (including respiratory issues, chemical burns, and skin irritation) to workers. By providing a defensive barrier, chemical splash curtains limit the exposure of harmful chemicals from reaching the workers. These curtains also block the chemical spills from spreading to other textile processing facilities.

Textile managers can segregate the areas where dangerous chemicals are used. Hydrogen peroxide, for instance, is an essential chemical for bleaching fabrics. But its accidental spill can cause eye damage or skin allergy. Chemical splash curtains are a worthwhile option to protect workers from its exposure. Similarly, these curtains block the harmful effects of other chemical spills (such as sulfuric acid and formaldehyde) frequently used in the textile industry.

Electronics Manufacturing Industry

Hydrofluoric acid is a commonly used chemical in the electronics manufacturing industry. It’s mostly used in the manufacturing processes of refrigerants and other electrical components. But it can accidentally be released if its storage containers get damaged. That’s when there’s a chance that workers could get its exposure. Since this harmful chemical easily penetrates through the skin, even just a minor splash can cause skin burns. Besides instructing workers to wear chemical-protective gloves, plant managers can install chemical splash curtains to create partitions within spaces that contain hydrofluoric acid and other life-threatening chemicals.

Isopropyl alcohol is another essential chemical for cleaning electrical components. Inhaling its fumes might lead to respiratory irritation. Though installing ventilation systems filters out airborne substances, additional protection is required to ensure that the fumes of isopropyl alcohol do not spread throughout the workplace. Chemical splash curtains can reduce their spread by isolating all zones of the electronics manufacturing plant.

 

Emerging biotech companies often prefer shared laboratories to achieve cost reduction. Though it’s a cost-effective option, it also brings various challenges. In shared laboratories, multiple users conduct simultaneous experiments. Each experiment involves the use of different chemicals – some can be dangerous and should be handled with care.

Formaldehyde, for instance, is used to preserve tissue while ethidium bromide is used in performing lab tests related to molecular biology. Both are essential in the testing phase but their spill can cause skin irritation. That’s why multiple users should work in isolation when performing experiments in shared labs.

Chemical splash curtains can divide the workstations while isolating one from the other. This ensures that other lab users are not exposed to harmful fumes released from the chemicals that are not needed in their experiments.

Spillages are also common in laboratories. That’s why lab users are at a higher risk of slips and falls within the premises. But chemical splash curtains can block chemicals from contacting the floors – thus, limiting the likelihood of lab accidents, falls, or injuries.

Waste Management Industry

Construction, renovation, or demolition waste increases exposure to asbestos – a toxic substance that can negatively affect respiratory and reproductive health. Pieces of waste in the form of broken cement, drywall, insulation materials, sealants, tiles, and paint contain asbestos. Inhaling their particles can harm the health of those working in the waste management plants.

Chemical splash curtains help limit the airborne exposure of these fumes by segregating hazardous waste management zones from non-hazardous ones. That way, it becomes easier to maintain improved air quality within the waste management premises.

Performing decontamination is an essential task in the waste management industry. The management ensures limiting cross-contamination within larger areas as much as possible. By installing chemical splash curtains, they can prevent harmful chemicals (produced from industrial waste) from contaminating other sections of a waste management facility. Besides, the chemical spills can be cleaned immediately if they are stuck onto these curtains.

The Takeaway

Investing in chemical safety curtains will save your business from experiencing future hazards while reducing overall costs. These specialized curtains will also help provide a safer working environment for your workers. They are also easy to clean in case chemicals spill onto them.

If you belong to one of the above-mentioned industries, chemical splash curtains are a must-have asset for your business. However, it’s important to choose the right ones that are made of high-quality, durable materials. If maintained the right way, you can expect them to last for years.