Worksite hazards involving harmful chemicals, dusty conditions and flammable materials present fluctuating risks to employees. Emergency eyewashes and showers help abate these hazards, but their placement and efficacy must be checked regularly. Ensure your facility's safety program follows best practices to improve the outcome in the event of an emergency.
Conduct annual site surveys
Start with a site evaluation to identify potential hazards, product location and selection, accessibility and water supply. Some product manufacturers offer complimentary site surveys to check equipment operation, placement and compliance with the ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment. It's critical to periodically review placement, installation, standards and requirements.
Evaluate emergency equipment
Following a site survey, determine compliance solutions and fixture recommendations. Three main types of emergency eyewashes and showers include:
- Emergency eyewash stations. Emergency eyewash stations are effective for spills, splashes, dust or debris likely to affect only the eyes. They provide a controlled flow of water to both eyes simultaneously. Emergency eyewash stations also deliver an uninterrupted, 15-minute supply of tepid water. Plumbed units can supply a greater volume of water: 2-5 gallons per minute (gpm) or 7.5-19 liters per minute (lpm).
- Emergency eye/facewash stations. These are used when the entire face is at risk from spills, splashes, dust or debris. Emergency eye/facewash stations irrigate the eyes and face simultaneously, and provide a large distribution pattern of water -- a minimum of 3 gpm (11.4 lpm) -- to rinse the eyes and entire face.
- Emergency showers. Emergency showers are used when larger areas of the body are at risk. They flush a larger portion of the body, but are not appropriate for the eyes (a combination eyewash and drench shower may be used to simultaneously flush the eyes and rinse larger areas of the body). Emergency showers deliver flushing fluid of 20 gpm (75.71 lpm).
Determine placement of fixtures
Emergency equipment should be close to hazards and highly visible. Consider these guidelines, which reflect the ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 standard:
- Fixtures must be within 55 feet of a potential hazard and take no more than 10 seconds to reach. Access to the fixture must not be obstructed.
- Equipment must be on the same level as the hazard. Doors between the hazard and the fixture must swing in the direction of travel.
- The height of eyewashes should be 33-53 inches and measured from the floor to the water flow.
- If corrosive chemicals are used, the drench shower or eyewash should be placed immediately adjacent to the hazard.
- All equipment must be in a well-lit area with highly visible signage, e.g., bright yellow, and should be able to be activated in less than one second.
Confirm emergency response procedures
Signaling devices connected to showers and eye washes help expedite emergency medical response. Upon activation of the fixtures, the signaling devices automatically turn on a highly visible flashing light and a loud sound designed to cut through ambient noise. The signaling systems draw attention to the precise location of need, alert personnel to contact first responders and provide remote monitoring of equipment.
Train employees
Employees must be educated on the location and operation of fixtures, and how to alert emergency medical response teams. Trained employees perform better before, during and after an emergency.
Test equipment
Perform and document weekly equipment inspections and activations, as materials, machinery, employees, operations and worksite risks change constantly. Check that equipment is placed in accordance with the standard, works well (with no missing parts), has lines flushed, is protected against freezing and uses properly heated tepid fluid that's 60 F-100 F or 16 C-38 C.
For more information, visit www. bradleycorp.com or call (800) 272-3539.
