Emergency eye wash
and emergency shower equipment

"Today's safe workplaces demand advanced emergency eye wash and shower equipment."

 The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was enacted to assure that workers are provided with “safe and healthful working conditions.” Under this law, the Occupational Safety and Heath Administration (OSHA) was created and authorized to adopt safety standards and regulations to fulfil the mandate of improving worker safety.

OSHA has adopted several regulations that refer to the use of eye wash and emergency shower equipment. The ­primary regulation is contained in 29 CFR 1910.151, which requires 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.”

The eye wash station and
emergency shower drench

Employers should look for signs of hazardous materials. Look for areas where workers are using personal protective equipment such as goggles and liquid proof gloves and make sure the eye wash station and emergency shower drench are within the required distance as stated by the American National Standard for Emergency Eye Wash and Shower Equipment ANSI Z358.1-2004. By not complying with the ANSI standard, OSHA may elect to impose penalties from warnings and fines to rare plant shutdowns.

It's important to note that emergency eye wash and emergency shower drench units are designed to deliver water to rinse contaminants from a user's eyes, face or body. As such, they are a form of first aid equipment to be used in the event of an accident.

However, they are NOT a substitute for primary protective devices such as eye and face protection and protective clothing. Again, they are not an alternative to safe procedures for handling hazardous materials.

It is imperative that eye wash and emergency shower units meeting ANSI Z358.1-2004 be within 10 seconds travel time from a hazard.  However, there are other considerations and, in this regard, please see Location Information. This Standard also requires that valves be of a simple operation; that they turn off to on in one second or less, and provide hands free operation once activated. The Standard also requires that the flushing fluids be tepid. 

Emergency shower and eye wash stations provide on-the-spot decontamination and allow personnel to flush away hazardous substances that can cause injury. Splashing accidents demand prompt and effective action. The affected body part should be flushed for a minimum of 15 minutes using a clean supply of flushing fluid under low pressure. Emergency showers are designed to flush the user’s head and body. They can also be used effectively in flushing contaminants from clothing. The emergency showers should not be used to flush the user’s eyes because the high rate of water flow could cause damage.Eye and face wash stations are designed to flush both eyes and face simultaneously at a velocity low enough to be non – injurious to the user. Medical help should be sought immediately after the first aid has been given.

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.

Consideration should be given to the possible need for multiple emergency shower installations based upon access distance and the possibility that more than one person may be affected at the same time. 

To identify hazards in your workplace please visit: Workplace Hazard Identification

eye wash
emergency eye wash
emergency shower
eye wash station
emergency showers
emergency shower drench

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