Page 37 - Occupational Health & Safety, October 2017

Self-Contained Eyewash and Shower Equipment
Self-contained, also often referred to as “portable,” emergency response equipment is typically used in locations where there is either no access to water or at highly mobile sites where hazards are mobile. The ANSI/ ISEA requirement for this type of equipment is to be visually inspected weekly to deter- mine whether the flushing fluid needs to be exchanged or supplemented. (Sections 4.6.3 and others)
The units should be maintained as per the manufacturer’s specific model in- structions. A majority of self-contained units that use potable water also offer a sterile bacteriostatic additive option to prevent the water from growing bacte- ria. An exchange of the water and refill of the additive is required every three months for most additive products, as well as rinsing the unit clean between the exchanges. If an additive is not being used, then the water should be exchanged on a weekly basis, at a minimum, with a thorough tank cleaning monthly. On an annual basis, self-contained units are required to undergo the full test just as plumbed units do.
offered by equipment manufacturers and others for individuals to become subject-matter experts. This allows com- pany personnel to get familiar with what to look for and how to conduct the tests appropriately. Many companies today opt to have an outside third-party inspection performed for them annually, which pro- vides an added measure of credibility and assurance to the review process.
Facilities that contain hundreds of shower and eyewash units should strive to create as many subject-matter experts as possible. Once trained, the weekly checks
can be completed rather quickly. Creat- ing facility maps, having full testing kits available, and holding recurring training classes can assist in the tedious yet crucial weekly task.
Worker protection should be a priority in every safety plan, and simply providing emergency showers and eyewashes is not enough. It is necessary to inspect, test, and monitor equipment readiness and perfor- mance for optimal response.
Samantha Hoch is a Marketing Product Specialist at Haws®.
Who Should Conduct
the Inspections?
The question is often asked whether a company must hire a certified tester to conduct the weekly and annual inspec- tions. Fortunately, there are no prereq- uisite or certification requirements to be able to test the equipment, although having a complete understanding of the installation and performance require- ments will aid in ensuring conformance. There are various training tools, includ- ing Online Competent Person Training,
www.ohsonline.com
Testo DiSCmini Handheld Particle Counter
The smallest handheld to measure ultrafine and nanoparticles:
• Particle Concentration • Average Size
• LDSA Number
Ideal For:
• Personal Exposure Monitoring • Workplace Assessments
• Urban Mapping
Circle 33 on card. 33
HAWS®