Eyewash stations, personal protective equipment

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. 

Key elements of any IIPP are the availability of training programs and information, communication, and installation of safety equipment and systems such as eyewash stations and safety showers, hre alarms and prevention, first aid kits, and personal protective equipment. 

These measures are the least effective and should only be used if no other solutions are possible. One way of minimizing exposure is to reduce the number of times the hazard is encountered. An example would be modifying machinery so that less maintenance is necessary. The use of appropriate personal protective equipment may be required. To reduce the severity of an accident, emergency facilities, such as eyewash stations, may need to be provided. 

One of the most devastating injuries a person can suffer is loss of eyesight. There are a number of protective measures which should be taken in the laboratory to prevent eye injury. However, should aU of these measures fail and chemicals enter the eye, an effective eyewash station is an essential item of fixed equipment that should be immediately available. Although superseded by the Laboratory Safety Standard, OSHA does require in Section 1910.151(c) of the General Industry Standards that... 

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