Safety Showers and Eyewash Fountains

Safety Showers. Safety showers and eyewash fountains or hoses should be installed where corrosive or toxic materials are handled. A large-volume, low velocity discharge from directly overhead should effect continuous drenching, ie, a minimum flow of 20 L/min (50 gal /min). Water to outside showers may be heated to a maximum temperature of 27°C by an electric heating cable. The valves for all safety showers should be at the same height and relative position to the shower head, and they should operate in the same way and direction. The shower station should be identified by paint of a bright, contrasting color. In areas where chemicals harmful to the eyes may be encountered, an eyewash fountain or spray should be available in case of splash accidents. 

Wear appropriate chemical cartridge respirator depending on the amount of exposure rescue personnel should be equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus have available and use as appropriate mbber suits, full-body chemical suits, safety shoes, safety shower, and eyewash fountain. 

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. 

Regularly check safety showers and eyewash fountains for proper rate of flow. Maintain a record of inspection. 

PERSONAL PROTECTION Wear clothing suitable for dust protection, including gloves, coveralls, pants, and jacket wear safety goggles suitable for dust protection enclose operations and/or use local exhaust ventilation at site of chemical release wear suitable respira-tory protection, including self-contained breathing apparatus provide safety showers and eyewash fountains in immediate work area. 

OTHER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Safety shower and eyewash fountain should be within direct access. 

The dedicated water tank is generally an overhead tank which is always kept full by an independent source of water. It is connected to the safety showers and eyewash fountains. These shall be installed in areas where strong corrosive acids, alkalies, and other chemicals are being handled. 

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. 

Safety showers and eyewash fountains should be examined visually and their mechanical function should be tested. They should be purged as necessary to remove particulate matter from the water line. 

Sodium, potassium, and calcium hydroxide solutions or dusts are corrosive. Short exposures can severely bum skin or permanently damage vision. Protective equipment is required to prevent inhalation of dust, mist or spray, exposure to eyes, skin, and clothing. Safety showers and eyewash fountains must be readily available. Hydroxides react violently with adds, many organic chemicals, and aluminum. They rapidly destroy leather, wool, aluminum, zinc, and tin. They may react violently with water causing boiling, spattering, or violent eruptions. ... 

For respiratory protection, SCBA, air-line cartridge-type respirators, and U.S. Bureau of Mines or NIOSH approved canister-type, cartridge-type respirators should be available in emergencies. Instant-acting safety showers and eyewash fountains should be conveniently located near the site of the operation. 

Handle reactive gases only in well-ventilated areas equipped with safety showers and eyewash fountains. 

PERSONAL PROTECTION Wear impervious clothing, gloves, and face shields use dust and splash-proof safety goggles use any self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a positive pressure mode facilities, such as showers and eyewash fountains, should be provided within immediate work area for emergency use. 

PERSONAL PROTECTION wear gas-tight mbberized or plasticized protective garments and shoes wear self-contained breathing apparatus and chemical safety goggles emergency showers and eyewash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area. 

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. 

PERSONAL PROTECTION Wear chemical protective suit with self-contained breathing apparatus wear chemical resistant rubber gloves wear splash-proof safety goggles an eyewash fountain and safety shower are recommended. 

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. 

Safety showers and eye wash fountains must be at easily accessible locations for all employees working in the laboratory or with/ around hazardous chemicals. The location should be such that the employees would not be tempted to place boxes or other items in such a position to restrict access to the shower or eyewash. 

Keep the floor area around safety showers, eyewash fountains, and fire extinguishers clear of all obstructions. 

Ensuring the presence and testing of safety showers, eyewash fountains, or other washing or flushing facilities. 

Oleum Respirator approved by U.S. Bureau of Mines for acid mists, rubber gloves, splash proof goggles, eyewash fountain and safety shower, rubber footwear, face shield. Rush with plenty of water. Flush with water for at least 15 minutes. 

PERSONAL PROTECTION Wear impervious protective clothing, including boots, butyl rubber gloves, lab coat, apron or coveralls wear chemical safety goggles enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at site of chemical release at any exposure level, wear a NIOSH-approved supplied air respirator with a fiill facepiece or us self-contained breathing apparatus operated in positive pressure mode provide eyewash fountains and safety showers in work area. 

PERSONAL PROTECTION Wear chemical resistant clothing, such as lab coat and/or rubber apron impervious gloves are required wear approved chemical safety goggles, lull length faceshield, and appropriate NIOSH/MSHA approved respirator maintain eyewash fountains and safety showers in work area. 

Dedicated water supply tanks for fire fighting, eyewash fountains, and safety showers... 

Provide a totally assured supply of water for safety showers, eyewash fountains, fire fighting, and cooling water for spray on certain storages of inflammable fluids by having dedicated storage tanks of appropriate capacity at a height. 

---