Eyewash device

While there may be places where a shower is not needed, one or more eyewash stations will almost always be required. Some laboratories, in fact, provide a small eyewash device at every sink. Combination shower and eyewash units are also available. Home-made devices are not satisfactory. A standard safety shower gives off a drenching stream of water of much higher volume than a home-type shower. An eyewash emits a large volume of water at a gentle pressure to prevent eye injury. 

There are numerous portable units and hand held single head eyewash devices commercially available. Some of these are good additional support, but none of them are acceptable in lieu of stationary dual head eye/face washes. 

Instruct everyone in the lab on the proper use of the safety shower and eyewash fountain (see Corrosive materials above). Most portable eyewash devices cannot maintain the required flow for 15 minutes. A permanent eyewash fountain is preferred. 

Small squeeze bottles containing a pint, or perhaps at most a quart, of water can supplement a plumbed eyewash station but are not acceptable as the sole eyewash devices. The basic problem is lack of volume. As a minimum, eyes suffering even a hght chemical bum need to be flooded with potable water for 15 to 20 minutes. The second problem is that the water in the bottle may become contaminated. Where plumbed water lines are not available, eyewash units connected to pressurized portable containers of water are acceptable substitutes if they contain sufficient amounts of water to meet the requirements of the plumbed units for at least 15 minutes. 

The need for immediate flushing requires the installation of emergency eyewash devices in accessible locations that require no more than 10 SECONDS to reach. For a strong acid or strong caustic, the eyewash should be immediately adjacent to the hazard. Sperian self-contained, portable eyewash stations require no plumbing for easy and affordable placement near any workplace hazard, and... 

Oitiinaiy tap water, used in plumbed or some tank-type eyewash devices, may contain harmtui bacteria or contaminants that can cause additional eye damage, A sterile or bufteied saline solution is the most effective flushing fluid for emergency first aid. 

If these precautions fail and an accident occurs, it is essential to act immediately to avoid permanent eye injury. Therefore, laboratory workers must be familiar with the location and use of emergency eyewash devices that must be available in or near each laboratory. To ensure that eyewash units are always working properly, they should be checked periodically for proper operation. 

Many faucet-mounted eyewash devices do not meet ANSI construction requirements. 

If use is planned, the ANSI-approved faucet-mounted eyewash device must meet all requirements for plumbed eyewash units. This includes requirements for installation height, water temperature, unobstructed access, travel time, labeling, etc. Because of the need for immediate use, the water temperature at the sink must immediately meet temperature requirements at all times. 

The laboratory should be equipped with a conveniently accessible safety shower and an eyewash fountain there should be more than one of each in a large laboratory. Increasingly, the fixed type of eyewash fountain is being superseded by a spray nozzle at the end of an extensible hose there should be one of these on each laboratory bench. In lieu of such devices—or in addition to them—2- or 3-ft lengths of rubber hose (not small-bore pressure tubing) attached with wire or clamps to water faucets are certainly better than nothing. 

This experiment, if properly executed, follows the guidelines found in an American Chemical Society publication (Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories) which state that fume hoods, eyewash stations, and safety showers should be tested regularly for proper operation and that students should know how to operate these devices. It also serves to help bring safety issues to the forefront in the students study of chemistry. 

Everyone should be familiarwith the location anduseofaUequipment in their laboratory area. As noted above, this includes means to initiate an evacuation (fire alarm pull stations, etc.), fire extinguishers, fire blankets, eyewash stations, deluge showers, first aid kits, spiU kit materials, respiratory protective devices, and any other materials normally kept in the area for emergency response. 

Safety devices such as safety showers, eyewash foimtains, and gas detectors in adequate numbers shall be easily accessible, especially in areas that handling corrosive, toxic, and dangerous chemicals. 

Acid leak from chlorine-drying system Severe burns to personnel due to sulphuric acid (fresh and spent acid) Full covers on acid lines and pump discharge safe disposal of spent acid necessary Safety showers, eyewash fountains in working areas, use ptasonal safety devices... 

Safety equipment, including spill control kits, safety shields, fire safety equipment, respirators, safety showers and eyewash fountains, and emergency equipment should be available in well-marked, highly visible locations in all chemical laboratories. Fire alarm pull stations and telephones with emragency telephone numbCTs clearly indicated must be readily accessible. In addition to the standard items, thwe may also be a need for other safety devices. It is the responsibility of the laboratory supervisor to ensure proper training and provide supplementary equipment as needed. 

Periodically test and inspect emergency devices (e.g., safety showers and eyewash stations) and safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and first aid and spill control kits) to make sure they are functional. Inspectors need to verify that workers are using personal protection and safety equipment appropriately in their day-to-day work. 

Many portable eyewash stations have a capacity of 5 to 10 gallons for a maximum usefulness of 5 minutes. Squeeze bottles and other plastic container devices have even lower water capacities. 

Become familiar with the iayout of the iaboratory room. Locate the exits from the room and the fire extinguishers, fire blankets, eyewash fountains, safety showers, and first-aid kits in and near your workspace. Consult with your instructor regarding the operation and purpose of each of the safety-related devices. 

There should be adequate clear space around emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and other safety devices such as eyewash and safety showers and air mask stations. 

Alternatively, portable eyewash units come in many varieties to meet nearly any facihty s needs. They deliver water, saline solution or 100 percent sterile saline at room temperature for safe and comfortable flushing. The fluid in sealed-cartridge devices boasts the longest shelf life and, therefore, requires the least frequent maintenance, and portable units with buffered saline solution more closely match the pH of the eye to protect it during flushing. 

Walk to the nearest eyewash and/or safety shower, once with your eyes open, and again with your eyes closed (to mimic a likely condition when needing these devices). 

Provide fire extinguishers, safety showers, and eyewash stations in each laboratory. Test or check these devices periodically. 

In the General Requirements for Dipping and Coating Operations standard (29 CFR 1910.124), drench hoses are allowed in lieu of an eyewash and shower at open-surface tanks containing hazardous liquids. The device must supply clean water provided by a hose ) -inch in diameter, 48 inches or longer, with a quick opening valve. Pressure should not exceed 25 psi. 

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