Page 47 - Occupational Health & Safety, September 2018

the use of operator’s hands. (Sec. 4.2, 7.1) EYEWASH/EYE/FACE WASH
■ Outlets shall be protected from air-
borne contaminants. (Dust covers must be in place.) (Sec. 5.1.3, 6.1.3, 7.1)
■ The valve shall go from “off ” to “on” in one second or less and flushing fluid shall remain on without the use of opera- tor’s hands. (Sec. 5.2, 6.2, 7.2)
■ The flushing fluid of an eyewash or eye/face wash shall cover the areas be- tween the interior and exterior lines of a gauge at some point less than 8 inches (20.3 cm) above the eyewash nozzle. (sec 5.1.8, 6.1.8,7.1)
■ Must provide a means of a con- trolled flow to both eyes simultaneously at a velocity low enough to be non-injurious. (Sec. 5.1.1, 6.1.1, 7.1)
COMBINATION UNIT
■ Combination unit components shall be capable of operating simultaneously. (When the eyewash or eye/face wash is activated, and then the shower is activated, there should be no “starvation” occurring to either of the heads.) (Sec. 7.3, 7.4.4)
TEMPERATURE
■ Deliver tepid flushing fluid. (The required temperature range is 60°F - 100°F [16°C - 38°C])(Sec. 4.5.6, 5.4.6, 6.4.6, 7.4.5)
Plumbed Shower and
Eyewash Equipment
As a general statement, all equipment needs to be inspected weekly to ensure that there is a flushing fluid supply and that the equip- ment is in good repair. If the equipment is of a plumbed design, then it should also be activated weekly to clear the supply line of any sediment buildup and to mini- mize any microbial contamination due to stagnant water.
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 equip- ment is to be visually inspected weekly to determine whether the flushing fluid needs to be exchanged or supplemented (Sections 4.6.3 and others). The units should be maintained as per the manufac- turer’s specific model instructions.
A majority of self-contained units that use potable water also offer a sterile bacteriostatic additive option to prevent the water from growing bacteria. An ex- change of the water and refill of the ad- ditive 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 clean- ing monthly. On an annual basis, self-con- tained units are required to undergo the full test just as plumbed units do.
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 prerequi- site or certification requirements to be able to test the equipment, although having a complete understanding of the installa- tion and performance requirements will aid in ensuring conformance. There are various training tools, including Online Competent Inspector Training, offered by equipment manufacturers and others
for individuals to become subject-matter experts. This allows company personnel to get familiar with what to look for and how to conduct the tests appropriately. Many companies today opt to have an out- side third-party inspection performed for them annually, which provides an added measure of credibility and assurance to the review process.
Facilities that contain hundreds of show- er and eyewash units should strive to create as many subject-matter experts as possible. Once trained, the weekly checks can be completed rather quickly. Creating 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®.
www.ohsonline.com
Circle 23 on card. 43