Protecting People. Ensuring Safety.
About Hughes Safety Showers
Engineering emergency safety showers and eye/face washes since 1968
At Hughes Safety Showers, our mission is to protect people working in hazardous environments by providing reliable emergency safety solutions. In the event of a chemical exposure, immediate and effective decontamination is critical to help reduce injury severity.
Every solution we design is developed with real-world risks in mind, ensuring dependable performance in critical moments. From extreme temperatures to corrosive environments, our focus is on delivering equipment that operates effectively without hesitation, giving health and safety professionals confidence that protection is in place when required.
Over 50 Years of Engineering Expertise
Hughes Safety Showers was founded in 1968 by John D Hughes MBE, a qualified mechanical engineer whose early work in pipeline and structural steel fabrication exposed a gap in workplace safety.
Since then, Hughes has focused exclusively on the design and manufacture of emergency safety showers and eyewash equipment, developing solutions for some of the most demanding industrial environments.
Today, with over 50 years of continuous manufacturing experience, Hughes is recognised as a trusted partner across high-risk industries worldwide, known for its technical expertise, compliance knowledge and ability to deliver reliable solutions at scale.
Our Heritage
Hughes Safety Showers is founded
While working on hazardous industrial sites, a lack of effective emergency decontamination facilities becomes evident, highlighted by a serious chemical exposure incident involving an employee called Charlie Gamble.
Charlie accidentally stepped into a tank containing a sulphurous mixture, causing burns to his foot and leg. The only decontamination facility on the site was a domestic cast-iron bath half full of stagnant, contaminated water.
In response, Hughes began designing and manufacturing dedicated emergency safety showers and eyewash equipment – well before formal safety regulations were introduced.
Driving Innovation
Under new leadership from John's son, Tony Hughes, the company expanded its product range, focusing on improved performance and reliability in demanding environments.
Advancing Product Capability
Introduction of tank-fed safety showers, enabling effective emergency response where mains water supply is not available.
Setting Quality Benchmarks
Hughes becomes one of the first manufacturers to produce heated and insulated safety showers accredited to internationally recognised ISO standards.
European Expansion
Establishment of Hughes Notduschen in Germany strengthens presence across European markets.
North American Growth
Launch of Hughes North America in Canada, including a dedicated manufacturing facility and distribution network serving Canada and the US.
Industry Recognition
Awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade, recognising sustained global growth.
Joining Justrite Safety Group
Hughes becomes part of the Justrite Safety Group, strengthening its global safety offering and market reach.
Launch of the Zero Power Cooler®
Hughes continues to innovate with the launch of the award-winning Zero Power Cooler®, a solution designed to maintain safe water temperature in extreme climates.
50 Years of Hughes
Celebrating five decades of continuous engineering and manufacturing expertise.
Supporting Critical Safety Needs
The coronavirus pandemic changed the world as we know it. All brands within the Justrite Safety Group developed products to aid in the fight against COVID as health and safety became more important than ever.
ISO 9001 Re-certification
Hughes proudly achieved re-certification for the ISO 9001 Quality Management System, reaffirming our commitment to delivering consistent product quality and continual improvement for our customers worldwide.
Asia Pacific Expansion
Justrite Safety Group acquired Global Spill and Safety, strengthening our global reach and supporting future Hughes tank shower manufacture in the Asia Pacific region.
Part of Justrite Safety Group
Hughes Safety Showers is part of the Justrite Safety Group, a global leader in industrial safety solutions. This strengthens our ability to deliver dependable emergency safety equipment backed by a broader network of expertise, resources and innovation.
For our customers, this means working with a partner that combines specialist engineering expertise with the stability and reach of a global organisation, supporting both single-site requirements and multi-location operations.
Expertise and Engineering for Real-World Hazards
Hughes Safety Showers delivers engineered solutions tailored to the specific risks present on each site. Rather than relying on standard, off-the-shelf products, every system is designed to meet the practical demands of hazardous environments.
Equipment is developed to perform in extreme temperatures, corrosive atmospheres and demanding industrial settings where durability and consistency are critical. Attention is given to chemical exposure scenarios, where immediate decontamination can reduce injury severity.
Our experienced team brings extensive application knowledge, working closely with clients to understand site-specific hazards and operational requirements.
We regularly collaborate with EPC contractors, health and safety professionals and project teams to support accurate specification and compliance. From initial consultation through to final design, each solution is aligned with the environment it serves and the standards it must meet.
Built to Meet Global Safety Requirements
Hughes Safety Showers designs and manufactures emergency safety equipment in accordance with internationally recognised standards, including ANSI Z358.1 and EN 15154, as well as relevant OSHA guidance where applicable.
Our team has extensive experience in navigating complex compliance requirements. We support organisations in understanding how standards apply to their specific environments, helping to ensure that equipment is correctly specified, installed and maintained.
This includes guidance on key factors such as water temperature, flow rates and equipment positioning – each of which plays a vital role in effective decontamination during an emergency. Through site surveys and technical consultation, Hughes works closely with health and safety and engineering teams to identify risks and recommend compliant solutions.
By combining technical knowledge with practical application experience, Hughes safety showers are designed to help organisations remain compliant, audit-ready and prepared to respond effectively.
Engineered for Reliability
Hughes Safety Showers manufactures emergency safety equipment to consistently high standards, with a focus on durability, performance and long-term reliability.
Quality assurance is embedded throughout the manufacturing process, with rigorous testing and inspection procedures applied at every stage. From fabrication through to final verification, each system is assessed to ensure it meets required performance criteria and is ready for deployment in demanding environments.
Hughes operates in line with internationally recognised quality management standards, including ISO-accredited processes, supporting consistency across all products and manufacturing locations.
This structured approach ensures that every safety shower performs as intended in an emergency, wherever it is installed.
Global Reach, Local Support
Hughes Safety Showers supports projects worldwide, delivering emergency safety solutions across a wide range of industries and environments. With experience working on international specifications and complex project requirements, we provide consistent support wherever equipment is required.
Our routes to market include direct engagement with end users, collaboration with EPC contractors and established distributor networks. This flexible approach enables support for both new project installations and ongoing operational requirements across multiple regions.
Customers benefit from local expertise backed by global infrastructure. From initial specification and technical consultation through to installation and ongoing servicing, Hughes provides support at every stage of the equipment lifecycle.