Take Time for Safety (Eye Wash Safety Program Part I of III): Approximately 90 percent of all workplace eye injuries are preventable with the use of proper safety eyewear. Despite the good news, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that eye injuries in the workplace cost over $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and workers’ compensation costs. Nearly one million Americans have already lost some degree of sight to an eye injury. The best way to prevent injury to the eye is to always wear the appropriate eye protection. Surprisingly, the BLS reports that approximately three out of every five workers injured were either not wearing eye protection at the time of the accident or wearing the wrong kind of eye protection for the job. To be effective, eyewear must fit properly and be designed to effectively protect workers while they work. It is estimated that over 90 percent of eye injuries are preventable with the use of proper safety eyewear. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has standards that require employers to provide their workers with the appropriate eye protection. The proper eye wash and eye wash facilities are imperative for any environment that exposes people to corrosive materials that can cause injury. OSHA, under 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.151, states that proper facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body must be immediately available to people who are exposed to those hazardous materials. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has elaborated on OSHA’s regulations, and put forth further guidelines for safety in the workplace. ANSI Considerations Regarding Eye Wash Units The ANSI Z358.1-2004 standard implemented additions to the original 1981 standard. The additions established detailed minimum performance requirements, testing, installation, maintenance, and training specifications for equipment systems used for emergency treatment of the eyes or body of a person who has been exposed to injurious material. The 1981 standard included general considerations involving eyewash stations such as location, operation, flow time, and water temperature. The station must be located in an area that is immediately accessible to people who are exposed to dangerous materials. For some materials, locating an eye wash station within 10 seconds of walking time is enough, but for more dangerous materials, it is important to locate the station immediately adjacent to the hazard. A one-handed, easy to access operation is also imperative. A convenient pull down lever is a common feature on many eye wash stations, and offers an acceptable ease of use. Once activated, water or a pH-balanced cleansing solution must flow freely for at least fifteen minutes. Bottles of eyewash, contained in a cabinet or behind a barrier of any kind, are not acceptable under some conditions and may be cited as violations. Lastly, the water must be a temperature that is comfortable and will not damage the eyes. In most cases, this means that tepid water, or water that is “lukewarm” will suffice. In some cases, however, warm water may compound a chemical reaction, so please consult with a professional to discuss the optimum water temperature for any specific application. In instances of plumbed units, or units that are connected to a building’s plumbing network, disconnecting the hot water pipe from an eye wash station may be necessary. Eye Wash Station Although it may be a good idea in any workplace, the presence of an eye wash station is especially important in an environment where hazardous chemicals are in use. In fact, OSHA regulations state that an eyewash station must be installed in an accessible place wherever corrosive materials are present. Environments where formaldehyde is used in a concentration greater than 0.1 percent must also have eye wash stations in easily accessible locations as well. A Few Points to Consider About Eye Wash Stations: There are several points, mandated by OSHA, to consider when preparing to install eye wash stations. Installing the station in an accessible location is very important. Any location that is upstairs, around corners, through closed doors, or in any other way physically separated from the work environment is considered an inadequate location for an eye wash station. The ANSI standard provides that emergency equipment be installed within 10 seconds walking time from the location of the hazard. One-handed activation of water flow, commonly provided in the form of a pull-down lever, is also very important. Many eye wash stations are operated with a lever that, once activated, does not require the application of any other force to stay on. For some applications, a pull-down lever that activates a pair of water nozzles and provides a combination of eyewash and face wash is adequate. For other applications, a station that includes a drench shower may be more appropriate. For any application, and any degree of danger, an uninterrupted 15-minute flow time is necessary. Once activated, it is important that the eye wash station operates for at least 15 minutes, and provides at least three gallons (11.4 liters) of tepid water per minute. Some eye wash stations may substitute a pH-balanced saline solution for tap water, because tap water can be damaging to the eyes. Emergency Eye Wash There are two main types of emergency eye wash units. Depending on the model and make, both types can conform to OSHA and ANSI standards, and both can be successfully installed in almost any work environment. The main difference in the two types of emergency eye wash units is that one receives water from a remote source, and the other features a selfcontained tank of water or other fluid. Plumbed eye wash stations are stations that are permanently connected to a source of potable (drinkable) water. Usually, this means they are connected to a building’s plumbing supply. In order to insure that water flows freely and cleanly from a plumbed station, it is recommended that the station be tested at least once a week. Gravity-fed eye wash stations contain their own water or flush fluid, and must be refilled after every use. It is important to maintain the unit according to instructions from the manufacturer, may include periodically checking the level, cleanliness, and quality of the water in the tank. Both gravity-fed and plumbed eye wash stations must be able to maintain a flow of three gallons per minute for 15 minutes.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 02:20:15 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015