Emergency Eye Wash and Emergency Shower Systems

Every business should do an audit of their workplace and look for signs of any dangerous hazardous materials so as to ensure that their employees are provided with safe and healthful working conditions. In fact, under the law, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body must be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use where any person is exposed to injurious corrosive materials.

On the spot decontamination is provided by an emergency shower and eye wash station, which allows personnel to flush away any hazardous substances that can cause injury. Splashing accidents must be followed by prompt and effective action with the affected part being flushed for a minimum of 15 minutes.Using a clean supply of flushing fluid under low-pressure emergency shower and eye wash stations are covered by specific guidelines laid down by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

For example, ANSI Z358.1 1998 revision had a general requirement that flushing fluid be "tepid". At the time, the word "tepid" was a bit vague which led to individual interpretations of the term.

However, in its 2004 revision of the Standard, ANSI clarified the definition of the word "tepid" " to be in the range of 60 degrees F to below 100 degrees F. At immediate start-up of the equipment, the output flushing fluid must be within that range and remain there throughout the full 15-minute use cycle. Generally, temperatures higher than 100 degrees F may cause chemical interactions with the skin and result in further damage. At 60 degrees F and below hypothermia becomes a concern.

It is important to realise that this very specific requirement is now in place. If compliance is delayed you may have fines levied by the Occupational Safety and Heath Administration (OSHA) for non-compliance to ANSI and other standards. It's possible that these fines could be substantial.

Not only that, it’s also possible that the temperature range requirement could result in a case of negligence in a lawsuit filed by an injured employee. For example, if the emergency shower water was too cold. The employee may be unable to stand under the shower for the full-required period, which resulted in the employee receiving a greater injury.

Deluge showers should be used in all chemical and cryogenic handling areas, in battery rooms and in all situations where clothing, fires or impingement burns may occur. The emergency safety shower and/or emergency eyewash station must be installed within 10 seconds walking time from the location of a hazard.

The safety shower equipment must be installed on the same level as the hazard and accessing the emergency eyewash and/or emergency shower equipment should NOT require going up or down stairs or ramps. The path of travel from the hazard to the equipment should be free of obstructions and as straight as possible. Remember, doors are a concern and may hinder a user accessing safety shower emergency equipment.

Of course, there are circumstances where these guidelines may not be adequate such as where workers are handling particularly strong acids, caustics or other materials where the consequences of a spill would be very serious.

In these cases, emergency eyewash and/or emergency shower equipment should be installed immediately adjacent to the hazard. You should review the entire ANSI Z358.1 2004 Standard in detail. It's very important to plan ahead, because in an emergency every second counts !

For additional information on workplace hazards and emergency shower and eye wash equipment, please visit: Emergency Shower and Eye Wash Stations