EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SHOWERS

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EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SHOWERS
Presentation by Pam Fatland Manager, Chemical
Safety Office of Environmental Health
Safety Tulane University [phone] January,
2004
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EMERGENCY SHOWERS

• Showers shall be no more than 10 seconds from the
  hazard.
• Showers shall be located on the same level as the
  hazard, and the path of travel shall be free of
  obstructions.
• Showers shall be identified with a highly visible
  sign.

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EMERGENCY SHOWERS

• Valve actuators shall be not more than 69 inches
  above the level on which the user stands.
• The valve shall remain on without requiring use
  of operators hands until intentionally shut off.
• Showers shall deliver 20 gal/min of tepid water
  for a minimum 15 minute period.
• There is no mention of floor drains in the ANSI
  Standards.

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EMERGENCY EYEWASHES

• Eyewashes shall be no more than 10 seconds from
  the hazard, and shall be immediately adjacent for
  a strong acid or caustic.
• Eyewashes shall be located on the same level as
  the hazard and the path of travel shall be free
  of obstructions.
• Eyewashes shall be identified with a highly
  visible sign.

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EMERGENCY EYEWASHES

• Eyewashes shall deliver 0.4 gal/min of tepid
  water for a minimum 15 minutes. They shall
  provide flushing fluid to both eyes
  simultaneously.
• Nozzles shall be protected from airborne
  contaminants, and removal shall not require a
  separate motion by the activator of the unit.
• The valve shall remain on without requiring use
  of operators hands until intentionally shut off.
• Plumbed equipment shall be activated weekly to
  verify proper operation.

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PERSONAL EYEWASHEQUIPMENT

• Personal eyewash equipment supports plumbed and
  self-contained units, but shall not replace them.
• Instructions and expiration shall be permanently
  affixed to the unit.
• Flushing fluid temperature shall be tepid.
• A personal eyewash may be kept in the immediate
  vicinity of a potential hazard, but after
  immediate flushing, the injured person should
  then proceed to a plumbed eyewash for the
  required 15-minute period.

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HAND-HELD DRENCH HOSES

• Hand-held drench hoses provide support for
  emergency shower and eyewash units but shall not
  replace them.
• Drench hoses shall be identified with a highly
  visible sign.
• Drench hoses shall deliver a minimum of 3 gal/min
  of flushing fluid for a minimum of 15 minutes.
• Delivered flushing fluid temperature shall be
  tepid.
• Plumbed equipment shall be activated weekly to
  verify proper operation.

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EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SHOWERS

• ANSI recommends eyewashes and drench hoses be
  activated weekly. This is the responsibility of
  the PI or supervisor of the area. Problems
  should be reported to Facilities Services.
• Showers and emergency equipment must be tested at
  least annually by Facilities Services.

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EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SHOWERS

• OEHS CONCERNS
• Located too far away (gt100 ft) in hazardous areas
  (esp. if corrosives or formaldehyde used)
• Signage or inspection tags needed
• Not being inspected on a regular basis
• Plastic eyewash bottles with expired solutions
• Obstructions
• Shower pull chain not long enough.
• Eyewash located in radioactive sink