Page 42 - OHS, May 2022

EMERGENCY SHOWERS & EYEWASH
consideration victim comfort and try to provide water as near as possible to 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
How safe are portable eyewash stabilizers? ThThe bacteriostatic preservatives and mixes that are used in cleansing bottles and sticks are designed to be entirely non-hazardous to humans. Bacteriostatic preservatives are concentrates, though, and will sting if poured directly into the eye rather than diluted in water and then used. Ensure you follow the instructions.
Can eyewash bottles be placed in the immediate area of the hazard to get an employee to a plumbed eyewash/shower if it is further than 55 feet or not in a direct line? Eyewash bottles can be and should be placed immediately adjacent to the hazard, but it does not extend the maximum distance of 55 feet. The intent is to get first aid measures started en route to the primary equipment.
Where is the verbiage that states that the portable eyewash stations are also required for 15 minutes? ANSI/ISEA Z358.1- 2014 section 6.4.5 requires a minimum period of 15 minutes. The SDS for the substance will communicate the total time required, whether 15 minutes or more.
Which equipment is best? Do you need portable eyewash stations, emergency showers, eye/face washes or combination units? This can be a reasonably challenging question. Consider the hazardous materials in use as well as the access to potable water. If large portions of the body could be exposed to hazardous materials, a shower is indicated. In smaller scale incidents, a single
drop of caustic material would probably require an eyewash. Likewise, many airborne contaminants might irritate the eyes only, again with an eyewash being the answer. It is always a good
idea to also reference your SDS to fully understand the types of materials and their consequences of exposure so you can make sure you have selected the right equipment.
Today, many businesses in many diverse industries rely on remote operations for construction, maintenance, materials harvesting and other functions. And, those remote locations typically have increased levels of injury risk, while often being served by less-than-optimal emergency response equipment.
There are no prerequisites or certification requirements for personnel to conduct safety equipment testing. A full understanding of the installation and performance requirements is essential. Equipment manufacturers offer various training tools to ensure company personnel can become subject matter experts, capable of properly conducting tests. Today, many companies also have third-party inspections performed annually, which offer a level of credibility and assurance to the review process.
Safety is everyone’s job, and the workplace has the responsibility to ensure that environments always meet current standards with all types of equipment.
Eric Clark is the Director of Haws Services and one of the resident ANSI/ ISEA Z358.1 experts at Haws Corporation, located in Sparks, Nevada.
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