No one can predict when and where an accident will occur. Sometimes employees need to work around hazardous substances. This puts them at risk of getting the substance in their eyes or on their skin. Employees need to be familiar with the location and operation of emergency eyewash equipment.
Basic requirements
OSHA specifically requires emergency eyewash/shower stations in a number of regulations such as those for dipping and coating operations; medical services and first aid; pulp, paper, and paperboard mills; formaldehyde; and carcinogens.
The general OSHA requirement for emergency eyewashes and showers is found at 29 CFR 1910.151(c). In this standard, OSHA specifies that "where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use." As the standard states, an eyewash and/or safety shower would be required where an employee's eyes or body could be exposed to injurious corrosive materials.
Beyond requiring the equipment, OSHA does not provide a great deal of detail on eyewashes. However, where the regulations are silent on the details regarding eyewashes, OSHA has referred to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z358.1 Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment for specific requirements.
Location, location, location
The location of eyewash equipment is important because eyes can be damaged very quickly. Eyewashes should be located as close as possible to the hazard. The more hazardous the material, the closer in time and distance the unit should be. ANSI says that an eyewash and shower shall be no farther than a 10 second travel time from the hazard. ANSI also recommends that for strong acids or caustics, the eyewash unit be immediately adjacent to the hazard.
Safe water and temperature
The water in emergency eyewash equipment should be no warmer than 100 degrees, as this has been proven harmful. Additionally, the water should be no colder than 60 degrees, according to ANSI recommendations.
Learn how to use the eyewash
Having water streamed into an eye is an uncomfortable feeling. It’s a good idea to practice using the eyewash and try holding your eyes open in a stream of water.
Eyewashes use large amounts of water to flush away contaminants. Here are a few tips:
Look directly into the stream of water and hold the eye open with your fingers.
Flush the eye for at least 15 minutes — short breaks are fine.
Seek medical attention immediately.
Eyewashes aren’t for everything! Some key points to remember are:
Don’t use an eyewash to remove airborne particles, such as dust, wood, stone, or metal that have lodged in your eyes.
Don’t rub the eye, this can scratch the eye or embed the object.
Loosely bandage the eye and get professional medical attention.
An emergency eyewash could save someone’s sight and, ultimately, a company employee. Hopefully, no one in your company will need to use one, but you’re always better safe than sorry!
J. J. Keller's Eye Wash Fountain Facility Marking Sign alerts employees to the availability of eye wash fountains using universal pictoral images and written safety messages
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