EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SHOWERS

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EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SHOWERS

• FOR TULANE LABORATORY OR FACILITY EMPLOYEES WITH
  THE POTENTIAL OF CHEMICAL SPLASH TO THE EYES OR
  SKIN
• April 2007

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OBJECTIVES

• To review the ANSI guidelines for emergency
  showers, plumbed eyewashes, personal eyewashes,
  and drench hoses
• To review concerns noted during OEHS inspections
• To review responsibilities and the need for
  testing of emergency showers and eyewash equipment

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EMERGENCY SHOWERSTHE FOLLOWING ARE ANSI
GUIDELINES

• 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 SHOWERSTHE FOLLOWING ARE ANSI
GUIDELINES

• Valve actuators shall be not more than 69 inches
  above the level on which the user stands. (Note
  The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that
  shower handles extend to 48 inches from the
  floor.)
• 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. They are not required.

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EMERGENCY EYEWASHESTHE FOLLOWING ARE ANSI
GUIDELINES

• 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 EYEWASHESTHE FOLLOWING ARE ANSI
GUIDELINES

• 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.

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EMERGENCY EYEWASHESTHE FOLLOWING ARE ANSI
GUIDELINES

• 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(such as squeeze
bottles of flushing solution)THE FOLLOWING ARE
ANSI GUIDELINES

• Personal eyewash equipment supports plumbed and
  self-contained units, but shall not replace them.
• Instructions and expiration date 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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PERSONAL EYEWASHEQUIPMENT(such as squeeze
bottles of flushing solution)

• OEHS does not recommend personal eyewash
  equipment because it does not supply a 15-minute
  supply of water to properly wash the eyes in an
  emergency.
• Personal eyewash equipment may be used in field
  areas where there is no water source until the
  person can get to a proper eyewash station
  however, the equipment must be maintained (no
  expired date on flushing solution, bottle kept
  clean and free of debris, etc.)

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HAND-HELD DRENCH HOSESTHE FOLLOWING ARE ANSI
GUIDELINES

• 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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TESTING EMERGENCY EYEWASHES AND SHOWERS

• ANSI recommends eyewashes and drench hoses be
  activated weekly. At Tulane, this is the
  responsibility of the PI or supervisor of the
  area. Problems should be reported to Facilities
  Services.
• Weekly flushing of plumbed eyewash stations is
  critical to lower bacterial contamination and to
  remove impurities in the plumbing lines.
• Showers must be tested at least annually by
  Facilities Services.

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EMERGENCY EYEWASHES AND SHOWERSCONCERNS NOTED
DURING ANNUAL OEHS INSPECTIONS

• Equipment located too far away (10 seconds away)
  in hazardous areas (esp. if corrosives or
  formaldehyde are used)
• Signage or inspection tags are needed
• Equipment not being inspected on a regular basis
• Plastic eyewash bottles are dirty or have expired
  solutions

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EMERGENCY EYEWASHES AND SHOWERSCONCERNS NOTED
DURING ANNUAL OEHS INSPECTIONS

• Obstructions are preventing access to equipment
• Shower pull chain is too high
• Eyewash located in radioactive sink
• Eyewash or shower is needed in work area due to
  use of corrosives or irritants
• Plumbed eyewash or shower needed, but only drench
  hose or personal eyewash bottle available

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EMERGENCY EYEWASHES AND SHOWERS

• If signage or inspection tags are needed for an
  eyewash or shower in your area, contact OEHS.
• For additional information on eyewashes or
  emergency showers, see OEHS Policies and
  Procedures Manual which can be found on the OEHS
  website, www.som.tulane.edu/oehs.

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EMERGENCY EYEWASHES AND SHOWERS - SUMMARY

• Plumbed emergency eyewash and shower equipment is
  needed in work areas where corrosive or
  irritating chemicals are used.
• Eyewash/shower equipment needs to be easily
  located, unobstructed, tested and maintained.
• ANSI guidelines give details on the requirements
  and proper operation of emergency eyewash and
  shower equipment.

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Tulane UniversityOffice of Environmental Health
Safety (OEHS)Pam Fatland pfatlan_at_tulane.edu
Manager, Chemical Safety(504)
988-2800www.som.tulane.edu/oehsIf unable to
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