Emergency Safety Showers and Eyewash Stations
Approved safety showers and eyewash stations are available to personnel and students who utilize hazardous chemicals or materials. All individuals who could be exposed to hazardous chemicals or materials are expected to know the location and correct operation of safety showers and eyewash stations.
Emergency Shower Requirements
Equipment
- The emergency shower must have an uninterrupted flow equal to 20 gallons per minute (GPM) for a minimum of 15 minutes of tepid (60 to 100°F) water.
- The center of the emergency shower spray pattern must be located at least 16 inches from any obstruction and must have a minimum diameter of 20 inches at 60 inches above the walk surface.
- The valve of the emergency shower should activate in one second or less and remain on until the user shuts it off.
- The emergency shower must be located in an area that requires no more than 10 seconds to reach (approximately 75 feet from the hazard).
- The emergency shower must be located in a well-lit area and identified with a sign no less than 6 inches in height and width.
- The spray head of the emergency shower must be positioned 82 to 96 inches above the walk surface.
- The path of travel to the emergency shower must be free of obstructions and located on the same floor as the hazard.
- If shut-off valves are installed in the supply line for maintenance purposes, provisions must be made to prevent unauthorized shut off.
Use
- If there is any question about the severity of a chemical exposure, immediately use the safety shower. There is no time for modesty or hesitation in the event of a chemical exposure.
- Immediately move under the safety shower and pull the handle down. Strip any contaminated clothing, jewelry, or personal protective equipment off. Stand under the shower for 15 minutes, flushing contaminated areas. Tilt the head back and hold open the eyes if exposed.
- In the event of chemical exposure, do not worry about making a mess. Water can easily be cleaned up. The safety of the exposed person is always the primary concern.
- After using an emergency shower, seek immediate medical attention for further treatment.
Maintenance and Training
- Emergency safety showers should be activated weekly to verify correct operation. Safety shower testing units can be purchased from safety supply companies. A testing log should be kept by the principle investigator, lab manager, or lab personnel.
- During testing, the shower should be activated long enough for clear water to flow.
- All personnel who might be exposed to a chemical splash must be trained in the location and use of the safety shower.
- EHS annually inspects all safety showers to ensure the correct requirements and standards are met.
Eyewash Station Requirements
Equipment
- The eyewash must be able to deliver 0.4 GPM of uninterrupted tepid (60 to 100°F) water for 15 minutes.
- The eyewash must be located in a well-lit area and identified with signage no less than 6 inches in height and width.
- The eyewash must be positioned 6 inches from the wall or from the nearest obstruction for plumbed units.
- The eyewash must be installed so the fluid flow pattern is no less than 33 inches but no greater than 53 inches from the walk surface.
- Spray heads and flushing fluid units should be protected from airborne contaminants.
- The valve of the eyewash must activate in one second or less and remain on until the user shuts it off.
- The eyewash location must be no more than 10 away from the hazard (approximately 75 feet).
- The path of travel from the hazard must be free of obstructions and located on the same floor as the hazard.
- Eyewash stations should be plumbed directly to a drain.
- If shut-off valves are installed in the supply line for maintenance purposes, provisions must be made to prevent unauthorized shut off.
Use
- In the event of an emergency, activate the eyewash station by pushing the handle back. Hold both eyelids open with thumbs and forefingers.
- Roll eyeballs back and forth so the water can reach all surfaces of the eye and under the eyelid.
- Flush eyes for 15 minutes.
- After using an eyewash station, seek immediate medical attention for further treatment.
Maintenance and Training
- Eyewash stations should be activated weekly to verify correct operation. Testing assures the equipment will be operational when needed, but also serves to flush particles and stagnant water from the piping system.
- Documentation of weekly inspections should be maintained by the responsible department, principle investigator, lab manager or personnel performing inspections.
- All personnel who might be exposed to a chemical splash must be trained in the use of eyewash equipment.
- EHS annually inspects all eyewash stations to ensure the correct requirements and standards are met
Note: Drench hoses may be considered an eyewash station if the device meets the performance requirements.
Personal Eyewash and Eye Saline
Personal eyewashes or eye saline are supplementary, do not meet requirements of plumbed eyewash equipment, and are not a substitute.