Emergency Eyewash and Shower Stations
Robert M. Rioux, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that an emergenc…
1. Eyewash
- Uses
- Emergency eyewash stations use water to flush injurious or corrosive materials from the eyes in the case of an accident
- Specifications
- The emergency eyewash should be located within 10 seconds walking time from the location that eye contamination may occur. There should be no obstacles blocking the path to the eyewash, including but not limited to doors. The eyewash must also be located on the same floor as the area containing the hazard.
- The emergency eyewash station requires potable water as its water source.
- The temperature of the eyewash water is to be maintained between 60 °F and 100 °F (16 °C - 38 °C).
- The water should be able to maintain a flow rate of at least 0.4 gallons per minute for at least 15 minutes, with a flow velocity low enough so as not to damage the eyes of the user.
- The eyewash should be able to be opened manually within one second, and water should be able to remain flowing until it is turned off by the user.
- Maintenance
- Eyewash stations are to be inspected yearly by an Environment Health and Safety officer.
- Lab personnel should inspect the emergency eyewash station weekly, running water for 3 minutes, to ensure proper working order and eliminate buildup of sedimentation in the eyewash. A logbook documenting the weekly inspections should be maintained.
- Operation
The following steps should be used to operate the emergency eyewash in the case of an emergency:- Go immediately to the eyewash station in the case of harmful chemical exposure to the eyes. No time should be wasted in getting to the eyewash as the first few seconds of exposure could cause irreversible damage to the eyes.
- Push the eyewash lever to start the flow of the water.
- Hold the contaminated eyes open with fingers and submerge eyes in the water stream for a minimum of 15 minutes. Roll eyes around to ensure thorough flushing of the entire eye area.
- If contacts are worn, do not stop to remove them before flushing the eyes with water. Instead, remove contacts while the eyes are being flushed with water.
- Seek medical attention.
2. Lab Shower
- Uses
- Emergency shower stations use water to flush injurious or corrosive materials from the body in the case of an accidental chemical spill.
- Specifications
- The emergency shower should be located within 10 s walking time from the location that body contamination occurs. There should be no obstacles blocking the path to the shower, including but not limited to doors. The shower must also be located on the same floor as the area containing the potential hazard.
- The water source of the shower must be potable water.
- The temperature of the water is to be maintained between 60 °F and 100 °F (16 °C - 38 °C).
- The water should be able to maintain a flow rate of at least 20 gallons per minute for at least 15 minutes.
- The shower should be able to be turned on in a maximum of one second and remain on until the user turns it off.
- The height of the shower water column should be between 82 inches and 96 inches.
- The diameter of the water column should be at least 20 inches at 60 inches above the floor.
- An enclosure for the shower should be at least 34 inches in diameter. Enclosures are not required on laboratory emergency showers.
- Maintenance
- Shower stations are to be inspected annually by your organization's Environment Health and Safety officer.
- Lab personnel should inspect the emergency shower station weekly to ensure proper working conditions. A logbook documenting the weekly inspections should be maintained.
- Operation
The following steps should be used to operate the emergency shower station in the case of an emergency:- Go immediately to the shower station in the case of harmful chemical exposure to the body. No time should be wasted in getting to the shower as the first few seconds of exposure could cause irreversible damage.
- Remove any contaminated clothing, shoes, or other attire. Do NOT be bashful about removing clothes. If the primary location of spilled chemicals is to a clothed portion of the body, they will be saturated with chemicals. Remove clothes carefully if they will come into contact with unexposed areas of body. In some cases, it may be more appropriate to cut clothes for prompt, safer removal.
- Pull the shower lever to start the flow of the water and flush the affected area with water for at least 15 minutes.
- Seek medical attention.
All laboratories and workplaces where hazardous chemicals are present will be equipped with an emergency eyewash and shower station.
The eyewash and emergency shower are used to flush away harmful or corrosive chemicals that contact the eyes and skin, respectively.
This video will demonstrate the proper use and maintenance of the emergency eyewash and shower and discuss related safety measures.
Prior to handling any chemicals, refer to their safety data sheets to gain familiarity with any hazards associated with exposure. Inform the laboratory manager and the Environmental Health and Safety Office of the materials and procedures in use.
To reduce the risk of chemical exposure, wear protective clothing, such as lab coats, goggles, and gloves.
Handle hazardous chemicals under fume hoods to additionally reduce the chance of inhalation.
Emergency eyewash stations use water to flush hazardous or corrosive materials from the eyes in case of exposure.
Before working with hazardous chemicals, ensure there are no obstructions, stairs, or doors between the workspace and the eyewash. Set up the workspace on the same floor, so that the eyewash can be reached in under 10 s.
In case of exposure to a harmful or unknown substance, go to the eyewash immediately. Time is critical, since the greatest damage tends to occur in the first few seconds of exposure. Do not stop to clean spills or remove contact lenses.
Activate the eyewash lever. This starts the flow of the water.
Finally, while holding eyelids open, submerge eyes into the stream. Roll them, to allow thorough flushing. Remove contact lenses while the eyes are being flushed. Wash for at least 15 min, and then seek medical attention.
Emergency showers wash hazardous or corrosive materials from the skin.
As in the case of the eyewash, the path from the workspace to the shower should be free of obstructions, doors, or stairs. It should take no more than 10 s to travel from the workspace to the shower.
If the skin is exposed to a harmful or unknown substance, go to the shower immediately. Again, the greatest damage from contamination tends to occur in the first few seconds of exposure. Do not stop to clean spills.
Quickly remove any contaminated clothes, shoes, or other attire. Do not hesitate or feel bashful, clothing can hold the compounds to the skin, further causing damage. Take care that contaminated clothes do not contact unexposed parts of your body. If necessary, cut the clothes off.
Finally, pull the shower lever to start the flow of water. This starts the flow of the water. Flush the affected area for at least 15 min, and then seek medical attention.
To ensure safe operation, the eyewash and shower should adhere to the following specifications.
Both use potable water at 60 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Both should take at most 1 s to turn on, and should remain flowing until the user turns it off. The eyewash should maintain a flowrate of 0.4 gallons per min for at least 15 min, and the shower, 20 gallons per min for at least 15 min.
The shower should produce a water column between 82 and 96 inches tall with a diameter of at least 20 inches at a height of 60 inches. If the shower has an enclosure, the enclosure must be at least 34 inches in diameter.
The eyewash and shower should be inspected by lab technicians weekly, by running them for 3 min and maintaining results in a logbook. In addition, it should be inspected annually by an Environmental Health and Safety Officer.
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Q1: How quickly must an eyewash station be accessible in an emergency?
An eyewash station must be reachable in under 10 seconds from your workspace. Time is critical because the greatest damage from chemical exposure occurs in the first few seconds. The path should be free of obstructions, stairs, or doors to ensure rapid access when needed.
Q2: What should you do immediately if a corrosive chemical splashes in your eyes?
Go to the eyewash immediately without stopping to clean spills or remove contact lenses. Activate the lever to start water flow, then submerge your eyes into the stream while holding eyelids open. Roll your eyes to ensure thorough flushing, remove contact lenses during washing, and continue for at least 15 minutes before seeking medical attention.
Q3: What are the required water specifications for emergency eyewash and shower stations?
Both stations must use potable water between 60 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The eyewash must deliver 0.4 gallons per minute for at least 15 minutes, while the shower must deliver 20 gallons per minute for the same duration. Both should activate within 1 second and remain flowing until manually turned off.
Q4: How should you respond to skin exposure from hazardous chemicals?
Proceed immediately to the emergency shower without stopping to clean spills. Quickly remove contaminated clothing, shoes, and attire without hesitation, as clothing holds compounds against skin. Take care that contaminated garments do not contact unexposed body areas. Pull the shower lever and flush the affected area for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical attention.
Q5: What maintenance schedule applies to emergency eyewash and shower stations?
Lab technicians must inspect both stations weekly by running them for 3 minutes and recording results in a logbook. An Environmental Health and Safety Officer must conduct annual inspections. Regular maintenance ensures stations function properly and water specifications are maintained for emergency use.
Q6: Why is proper personal protective equipment essential before handling hazardous chemicals?
Emergency eyewash and shower stations are not replacements for proper protective equipment. Wear lab coats, goggles, and gloves when handling hazardous chemicals. Additionally, use fume hoods to reduce inhalation risk. Consult your organization's Environmental Health and Safety office for proper selection of personal protective equipment.
Q7: What preparation steps should you take before working with any hazardous chemicals?
Review the safety data sheets for all chemicals to understand associated hazards. Inform your laboratory manager and Environmental Health and Safety Office about materials and procedures in use. Ensure the eyewash and shower stations are accessible and unobstructed, and verify you have appropriate protective equipment available before beginning work.