Eyewash units

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. 

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 eyewash nozzles must be located at least six (6) inches from the wall and be between 33 and 45 inches fiem the floor. The lower level would permif a disabled person in a wheel chair to comfortably use the unit. No obstructions must be allowed to exist which would make it difficult for access to an eyewash station. The pattern of flow should cover both eyes simultaneously. The separation of individuals eyes varies somewhat but typically ranges between 3 and 4 inches. Purchase of an eyewash unit meeting the ANSI standard would flood both eyes within this range. 

Faucet-mounted eyewashes are an ideal answer for those not in an enviromnent where heavy-duty eyewash units are practical because of space and aesthetic limitations. A low-profile, sturdy, compact, ANSI-compliant, faucet-mounted eyewash provides eyewash options to a majority of the population that in years past have resorted to ineffective eye washing procedures, such as using hands to splash water in an injured eye. Because there are no protocols or options for flushing eyes in applications that do not have a standard eyewash, a faucet-mounted eyewash that is consistent with medical protocols provides an irrigation method that will successfully flush contaminants out of the eye. 

Eyewash unit and safety shower within 10 seconds of hazard Y N NA... 

Most eyewash units are designed to operate hands-free once activated by pushing a plate or pulling the unit down to activate water flow. The valve stays open and water continues as long as it is in the open position. Here are several important things that you should know about eyewashes. 

Successful decontamination depends on the right equipment, in the right place, easily accessible and in good working order. With the wide range of showers and eyewash units now available, selecting the best option for a particular location and hazard can seem quite confusing. In reality, it is much less compUcated. 

All showers and eyewash units are designed for either indoor or outdoor use. 

Similarly, for eyewash units, fast action is crucial with the water supply activated by pulling a handle or pressing a treadle foot control. For units that have an integral cover, the supply can be activated by simply lifting the lid. The unit should operate leaving the victim s hands free to hold the eyes open throughout the irrigation. 

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. 

The best way to ensure eyewash compliance in the workplace is by building it into the company s safety plan. Employ a safety manager, assign safety stewards or use a third-party vendor to handle employee training and station maintenance. The appointed safety leader should train staff regularly as well as maintain eyewash units according to ANSI and manufacturers guidehnes. 

Part 4 Non-plumbed-in eyewash units Plumbed-in body showers are designed and... 

Autonomous non-plumbed-in eyewash units must be filled by the manufacturer with a rinsing solution. If water is used, the volume available must be 400 mL. For other rinsing solutions, the effective volume must be sufficient to have at least as equivalent efficacy as water. Units must be reached in a maximum of 5 s. They must be visible and accessible, at immediate proximity of the hazard zone. 

Does it matter whether a 16 gallon flow station vs. a plumbed eyewash unit is used Are both in compliance ... 

OSHA permits the use of a self-contained eyewash unit IF that unit can supply 15 minutes of flushing fluid, but it also must provide the required flow rate of. 4 gallons per minute. A 16 gallon self-contained unit would likely be able to provide 15 minutes of flushing at the required flow rate, but must be verified through testing. It would be compliant provided all other eyewash requirements were met. 

An eyewash must suppiy 0.4 gaiions per minute of fiushing fiuid for at ieast 15 minutes. Many seif-contained and portabie eyewash units oniy have a capacity of 5 to 10 gaiions for a maximum usefuiness of 5 minutes. Squeeze botties and other personai eyewash have even iower water capacities. For this reason, the appiicabie ANSi standard says that personai wash units (e.g., botties) do not meet the criteria of piumbed or seif-contained eyewash equipment. As such, personai wash units can provide immediate... 

The reason for this is that portable units do not have the capacity to provide the required 15 minutes of flushing time per the ANSI standard. For example, a one gallon portable eyewash unit is only going to supply the required flow rate for approximately 2 V2 minutes. Even a 4.5 gallon portable unit would provide a longer flushing time, but still not at the required 1.5 liters per minute (0.4 gallons) for 15 minutes. And eyewash bottles have a much smaller capacity. 

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. 

The water supplied to a safety shower or eyewash unit should be at ambient temperatures (15°C—35°C). 

Most safety showers include an eyewash unit. In some locations, such as laboratories, it may be sufficient to have an eyewash unit without a safety shower. The spray heads should be covered so that they are not contaminated. The covers should automatically lift off if the eyewash is activated. 

When there is only a temporary need for an eyewash unit (such as at construction site), portable units can be used as long as they have sufficient capacity. Eyewash bottles are not recommended because of their limited supply of water. 

Eyewash units must be installed so that the nozzles are 33 5 inches (83.8—1143 cm) from the floor. 

Eyewash units must provide a minimum of 0.4 gallons per minute (1.5 liters per minute) or a potable water or commercial flush for 15 minutes. Eyewash fountains/ stations should provide flow at 25 psi or less. This eyewash pressurized flow should be presented to the eyes in such a manner as to flood both eyes with aerated potable water. If the installed unit is intended to cover the entire face, then 3 gallons per minute is required according to ANSI 358.1. 

Eyewash units must provide a pressure-reduced divergent flow of flushing fluid. 

Eyewash units must be flushed weekly to remove any bacterial contamination (Acan-thamoeba) and to verify proper operation. Plumbed units must be flushed for 3 minutes minimum. 

Self-contained and portable eyewash units must provide 0.4 gallons per minute (1.5 liters per minute) for 15 minutes (6-gallon capacity). 

Portable eyewash units should be used only where fixed installation is not feasible. 

In self-contained and portable eyewash units, the flushing fluid must be replaced after any use. In addition, it must be replaced at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer. 

Squeeze bottles are not acceptable eyewash units on their own. They cannot supply the required amount of water to adequately flush the eyes, and their use does not keep both hands free to hold the eyelids open. 

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. 

ANSI Z358.1 indicates that an eyewash unit must be positioned with the flushing fluid nozzles between 33 inches and 45 inches from the standing surface. 

ANSI Z358.1-1998 says that eyewash units must be inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions. Consult the manufacturer of the equipment for the recommended frequency of changing the solution in those particular eyewash stations. 

Can personal eyewash equipment be used interchangeably with plumbed or self-contained eyewash units ... 

Personal eyewash equipment does not meet the criteria of plumbed or self-contained eyewash equipment. Personal eyewash equipment plays a supporting role to plumbed or self-contained equipment, but must not replace it. If it s impossible to have a plumbed or self-contained eyewash in a hazardous area, a personal eyewash unit may be kept in the vicinity of the hazard to supply immediate flushing to the injury. Because it does not provide the required 15 minutes of flushing, it is essential to ensure that the injured worker can then get to a standard unit. 

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