Emergency eyewash | Why are eyewash shower & eye stations needed on a commercial and industrial scale?

What are the outcomes? Is Emergency eyewash important?

Moreover, an eyewash shower is needed when an individual’s body part may get revealed to burning material.
Although there are some sizes, styles, features, and functions, most emergency eyewash stations have a shower-like sprayer that, when
pushed, sprays water down on the worker’s eyes, cleaning out any chemicals.

Similarly, When a worker’s eyes is expose to chemicals, they must be flushed out as soon as possible.
This is where an emergency eyewash station comes in handy: the worker stands under the station while the water starts spraying down onto his or her eyes.
Besides, eyewash stations allow employees to remove dangerous substances that have caused eye injury on-the-spot.
Even with good engineering checks and safety measures, accidental chemical exposures may occur.
As a result, it’s important to look beyond the use of goggles, face shields, and personal protective equipment procedures.

Besides, emergency showers and eyewash stations is a must-have substitute for mitigating the effects of chemical contamination in the case of an accident. This is why any job site have multiple eyewash stations strategically located in different locations

The following scenarios would make you want to use an emergency eyewash station right away:

1. When the substance being used is classified as acid, uncertain, or corrosive by the MSDS (material safety data sheet).
2. The MSDS decides that if the condition is not treated quickly, severe eye injury will occur.
3. The product’s label warns that it can cause chemical burns or permanent eye harm, it’s a good idea to avoid it.Keep in mind that when someone gets chemicals or unknown particles in their eyes to do is to clean them out within seconds of the injury.
4. You can’t waste time in this case, so the person who hashurt their eye shouldn’t have to deal with any obstacles on their way to the emergency eyewash station.

Are there any data?

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Association, the person may gets exposed to injurious burning material.

Suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body is essential within the work area for immediate emergency use.

2,000 workers suffer from eye injuries every day, according Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Also, results in 730,000 work-related eye injuries each year! Eye injuries can occur as a result of debris flying into a worker’s eye, such as metal or wood chips, or as a result of chemical exposure.

Moreover, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151(c) focuses on emergency showers and eyewash stations by addressing the need for facilities to enable workers to flush themselves with corrosive materials.

Therefore, while working near hazardous chemicals in commercial and industrial sectors, there should be good safety precautions to work safely.

However, accidents can happen anytime and when a corrosive chemical gets into your eyes or on your face or body. The first few seconds are the most critical for preventing injury. Even for a few seconds, if treatment is delayed, serious injury may be caused.

That’s why emergency showers and eyewash stations are essential in commercial and industrial sectors. The workers on the spot can decontaminate and flush the hazardous substances away, and minimize the effects of accidental exposure to chemicals.

There should be different units available for emergency showers and eyewash stations in the workplace. Emergency showers are to flush the user’s head and body but not for flushing the eyes. The water pressure may be too great and could damage the eyes.

Likewise, eyewash stations are to flush the eye and face area only. They are the most protective emergency devices and should be used in commercial and industrial sectors.

Shower Requirements

Emergency showers are of two types:

• Plumbed Shower: A shower permanently connected to a regular source of potable water
• Self-Contained Shower: A stand-alone shower that consists of flushing fluid

Its features and specifications include:

• The hands-free valve starts to operate in one second or less and remains open until it is manually closed.
• The plumbed shower provides 20 gallons of water per minute for 15 minutes at 30 pounds per square inch pressure in the required pattern.
• Where a self-contained shower provides 20 gallons of water per minute for 15 minutes in the required pattern
• The height of the water column is usually 82 to 96-inches above the surface on which the user stands.
• The water flow pattern is at least 20 inches in diameter at 60 inches above the surface on which the user stands.
• The center of the water flow pattern is at least 16 inches from any obstruction.
• The actuator easily accessible and is located no more than 69 inches above the surface on which the user stands

Eyewash Station Requirements

Eyewash stations are of two types:

• Plumbed station: The eyewash device that is permanently connected to a regular source of potable water.
• Self-contained station: A stand-alone eyewash device that contains flushing fluid and must be refilled or replaced after use.

Its features and specifications include:

• Eyewash station has controlled features, low velocity flow rinses both eyes and is not injurious to the user.
• It has sufficiently high water flow to allow the user to hold eyes open while rinsing.
• The spray head of the shower is protected from airborne contaminants.
• Plumbed eyewash provides at least 0.4 gallons of water per minute at 30 pounds per square inch pressure for 15 minutes.
• Self-contained eyewash provides at least 0.4 gallons of water per 15 minutes.
• The water flow pattern is installed between 33 and 53 inches from the surface on which the user stands and at least 6- inches from the wall or nearest obstruction.
• The valve actuator is easily accessible to the user.
• It washes both eyes simultaneously and covers the area indicated on the test gauge at no more than 8 inches above spray heads.

General Requirements for the Installation of Emergency Eyewash stations and emergency showers:

• It must be reachable within 10-seconds of hazard.
  
• It must be located and accessible on the same level as the hazard.
• The pathway must be free of obstructions.
• The location must be well lit and clear and should be able to be identified with a highly visible sign.
• The shower enclosure should have a minimum diameter of 34 inches.
• The provisions should be made to prevent an unauthorized shutoff, if shutoff valves are installed in the supply line.
• It must provide tepid flushing fluid, the temperature range (15.6–37.8°C or 60–100°F).

Maintenance and Training

• Flush plumbed shower and eyewash units at least weekly to verify proper operation and clearing the plumbing of any deposits.

• Inspect self-contained units weekly to determine if flushing fluid needs to be changed or supplemented

• All emergency shower and eyewash station must be inspected annually to make sure and meet ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 performance requirements.
  
• All employees or workers must be trained to use the equipment before working.

When workers are exposed to hazardous and harmful chemicals, employers must be prepared to respond to accidental chemical spills and splashes.
It is always best to be prepared with proper safety equipment. So, having the proper eyewash and emergency shower equipment makes your workplace safer and minimizes long term damage and suffering.
To install this essential equipment in Toronto, give Everest Drain & Plumbing a call today at (416) 383-7378