The ansi standard requires that eyewash stations are installed _______________ from hazard areas.
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Why do you have (or not have) a plumbed eyewash station on this unit?” Due to an increased focus on hazardous materials, a facilities manager has likely encountered this question during an accreditation survey. Show
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 29 CFR 1910.151(c) requires that suitable facilities shall be provided in any instance where the eyes may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials. But what constitutes a suitable facility for eye flushing? Are wall-mounted bottles “suitable?” The answer is a simple “no.” Suitable facilities are defined by ANSI Z358.1, Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment; therefore, a facility should have a plumbed eyewash station, located within 10 seconds (or 55 feet) of the hazard, capable of providing 15 minutes of continuous flushing fluid to the eyes, where there is a risk of an injurious corrosive exposure to the eyes. This seems simple; however, how does a facilities manager assess the risk and make the determination of when a plumbed eyewash station is necessary and when it is not necessary? The answer is to perform a risk assessment. So, they must start with the basics. Do staff use products that pose a risk of splashing into the eyes? If no, they pass “Go” and document that a plumbed eyewash station is not necessary (do not collect $200). If, however, they do use products that are a risk of splashing into the eyes, they must review the OSHA requirements and the Safety Data Sheet to determine if the product falls into any of the following risk categories:
This seems like a daunting proposition; however, facilities managers can use a straightforward process to document this assessment. They can evaluate each product against this criteria by using a documented tool that can be found by visiting the website in the link at left. The requirement to install an ANSI-compliant plumbed eyewash station is triggered if a product meets any one of the criteria. If facilities managers determine that they are required to install a plumbed eyewash station, they should carefully evaluate the ANSI Z358.1 requirements for installation, weekly inspection and annual maintenance criteria to ensure that their health care facility meets minimum requirements. As lab managers and employees, we know that many inorganic chemicals (such as the mineral acids and alkalis) are corrosive to the skin and eyes. Likewise we are aware that many organic chemicals (such as acid halides, phenols, and so on) are corrosive and often toxic. Yet we Safety Guys are continually shocked by laissez-faire attitudes toward the use and maintenance of basic safety equipment by lab personnel, and the resultant unnecessary injuries. One extreme example we constantly recall is the tragic UCLA accident several years ago, which resulted in a fatality from chemical burns. And we recently noticed a post on the American Industrial Hygiene Association pages for Lab Safety Chemical Exposure Incidents, where improper use of an eyewash resulted in a trip to the emergency room. The worker was using a fluorescent stain in the cytogenetics lab and felt something splash into his eyes. He was not wearing safety goggles or glasses. (D’oh!) Long story shortened, he flushed his eyes at the nearest eyewash, but they remained irritated and began to swell shut, necessitating a visit to the emergency room. Back at work a few days later, he noticed a coworker using the same eyewash to clean glassware and stainless steel trays, which were left resting in the sink in a cleaning solution. (What?!) What does OSHA say?In 29 CFR 1910.151 Medical Services and First Aid, it states 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.” OSHA doesn’t provide more specifics regarding what constitutes “suitable” or how “immediate” is defined. So how do we know if we are meeting the intent of the law? Fortunately, we have the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and their consensus standard Z358.1, last updated in 2014. This ANSI standard is very detailed in terms of defining what is appropriate for safety showers and eyewash stations. In fact, OSHA uses this reference as a guide when inspecting facilities. So let’s review what is “recommended” for acceptable safety equipment. Safety shower specsBegin by checking your facilities for the proper hardware, as recommended by Z358.1. Rest assured that OSHA will, should one or more agents show up for an inspection. For safety showers, the shower head must be capable of flowing 20 gallons per minute (gpm) at 30 psi and producing a 20-inch diameter spray pattern at 60 inches above the surface where the user stands. The center of the sprayhead pattern should be at least 16 inches from any wall, door, or obstruction. It is recommended that the shower head be mounted between 82 and 96 inches off the floor, with the valve no higher than 69 inches. Eyewash specsEyewash stations target just the eyes and therefore have a lower flow requirement. ANSI Z358.1 recommends a flow of 0.4 gpm also at 30 psi. The nozzles should be at least six inches from any obstruction and mounted between 33 and 45 inches above the floor. An eyewash gauge should be used to verify and test the flow pattern. Both safety showers and eyewash stations must be able to provide the recommended flow for at least 15 minutes. This usually translates into having the equipment plumbed in with hard connections to the water supply. For example, a quick calculation for the safety shower at 20 gpm yields 300 gallons needed. Self-contained or personal wash devices are allowed, but they are considered supplemental units that can provide immediate flushing while transiting to the permanent fixture. If the local climate presents potential for freezing conditions, the equipment must be designed to avoid freezing or protected against that situation. Activation valves must open within one second and remain open until intentionally closed or turned off. It goes without saying that these safety devices should be constructed of corrosion-resistant materials. The 2014 update to Z358.1 added two important criteria. The first is that the requirement for tepid water is now defined as having a temperature of between 60 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 37 degrees Celsius). The second change addresses simultaneous operation for combination units. This means that if you have a drench shower combined with an eyewash station, both devices must provide adequate flows and be fully operable at the same time. Finally and most importantly, consider the location of equipment. We know you have the 10-second rule etched into your brain, as that is the most critical element when it comes to safety showers and eyewashes. This means that travel to the unit should be under 10 seconds for all hazardous areas that need this equipment. This equals about 55 feet. In addition, the drench shower or eyewash must be on the same level as the hazard and have a clear path for travel. We recommend painting or marking the floor area underneath the shower to help keep it clear. Z358.1 also recommends equipment be installed in a brightly lit area and marked with a highly visible safety sign. Maintenance and trainingThe last thing you want is to rush to the eyewash or shower, only to be drenched with nasty, sediment-laden water. ANSI recommends flushing all equipment weekly to verify proper flow, and clearing the plumbing of any deposits. If your facility does not have floor drains installed, remember to bring a large, plastic trash can to catch the water. The weekly flushing can also provide a great training opportunity to refresh the operation and travel paths for your employees. References:
Additional resources:
What is the ANSI standard for eyewash stations?ANSI Z358. 1 provides detailed information regarding the installation and operation of emergency eyewash and shower equipment, including the requirements for flow rate.
Where should eyewash stations be located?Eyewash safety stations must be installed within 10 seconds or 55 feet from the hazard. The spray pattern must measure between 33”--53” from the floor the user will stand on (section 5.4. 4). Nozzles or spray heads must be at least 6” away from a wall or any type of obstruction (section 5.4.
What distance should eye wash stations be located near to where hazardous chemicals are stored and used?OSHA interprets the phrase "within the work area" to require that eye/face wash units and emergency deluge showers both be located within 10 feet of unimpeded travel distance from the corrosive material hazard or, in the alternative, within the distance recommended by a physician or appropriate official the employer ...
Does an eyewash station needs to be located no more than 10 seconds or less than 55 feet away from a work area?However, some of the requirements include that eyewash stations be located no more than 10 seconds (or about 55 feet) from hazardous work areas. The station should be located on the same level as the hazard, have a clear path for travel, be installed in a well-lit area, and be marked with a visible safety sign.
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