Page 36 - OHS, Nov/Dec 2023

EMERGENCY SHOWERS & EYEWASH Technology-Driven Safety Training Gear up your emergency equipment to maximize compliance and worker protection. BY RYAN PFUND If your worksite involves harmful chemicals, dusty conditions, or flammable materials, eyewash stations and safety showers are critical safeguards to have readily available. However, even if emergency fixtures are installed, that doesn’t necessarily mean that workers are protected. Equipment could be poorly maintained, not located near hazards, unable to dispense tepid water, or not in compliance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI/ISEA) Z358.1–2014. It is imperative these fixtures are inspected, tested and veri- fied weekly to ensure immediate, reliable and proper usage. ANSI/ ISEA requires weekly safety equipment tests (with a more in-depth evaluation conducted annually). Violations for inappropriate or in- adequate equipment can result in costly penalties and life-altering injuries. Here are some best practices to ensure your safety pro- gram delivers the best outcome in an emergency exposure: Pinpoint Equipment Placement Start with a site evaluation to identify at-risk areas, potential hazards and emergency needs, and evaluate factors like product location, wa- ter supply, water temperature, accessibility and equipment selection. Since work environments are always changing, conduct annual assessments to ensure the proper type, quantity, installation and location of emergency fixtures. Some product makers offer compli- mentary safety shower and eyewash system site surveys to ensure equipment operation and ANSI/ISEA Z358.1–2014 compliance. During a walk-through, it is essential to reference the ANSI/ISEA Z358.1–2014 emergency equipment standard, which outlines the re- quirements for emergency eyewash and drench shower installation, testing, performance, maintenance, training and use. Safety data sheets are an excellent source for determining protection needs, since their first aid information states if drenching facilities are required. Conduct Weekly Inspections Since material hazards present fluctuating risks and challenges for employees, eyewash and drench showers must be rechecked every week. During weekly inspections, check that plumbed emergency equipment works properly with no missing or broken parts, and has lines flushed to clear debris and stagnant water Per ANSI/ISEA Z358.1, emergency drench showers, eye and eye/face washes must be inspected and activated once a week to ensure nothing is blocking the flow of the flushing fluid and to eliminate any chance of contamination from stagnant water. All heads of the device must be activated, including the eyewash or eye/face wash head, as well as the showerhead. Flush the lines long enough to clear them of sediment and debris. Self-contained units should be visually inspected weekly. Simplify Testing In addition to providing site surveys, manufacturers provide easy- to-use tools to assist in weekly testing, such as a heavy-duty drench shower tester designed with a water-tight funnel to minimize get- ting wet during testing. The funnel directs water to a drain or buck- et and prevents water from splashing in the surrounding area. For testing eye wash fixtures, a transparent plastic compliance gauge features clear instructions on how to test the eye or eye/face wash system according to ANSI Z358.1-2014 testing protocols. False activations and bowl tampering can impede emergency fix- tures’ reliability and performance. You can avoid false activation is- sues by installing an eyewash signaling system with a dual set of con- tacts. The first set of contacts activates visual and audible indicators, while the second can be wired into a central monitoring system to alert a supervisor or maintenance team member that the fixture has been activated. In an actual emergency, the signaling systems draw attention to the precise location of need, alert management to contact first responders, and provide remote monitoring of safety equipment. Ensure Adequate Water Capacity Every potential hazard at a worksite must be supported by a plumbed or portable device that has access to an adequate water supply at an appropriate pressure and temperature. It’s important that the amount of water supplied to the unit can support a full 15-minute flow of flushing fluid. Therefore, a minimum water pressure of 30 pounds per square inch (PSI) should be supplied to plumbed emergency drench showers and eyewashes. Typical facilities supply their fixtures with at least 45 PSI inlet supply pressure. Use extra caution with any pressure that exceeds 90 PSI. The water supply must satisfy the ANSI minimum flow rate, which is at least 20 gallons per minute (GPM) for drench show- ers, 0.4 GPM for eyewashes and 3.0 GPM for eye/face washes. Products have varying flow rates, so it’s critical to confirm flow rates with the manufacturer. Test Water Temperature Lukewarm (tepid) water is required for the full 15-minute flush, for a drench shower, eye wash or eye/face wash. ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 states that the use of tepid water encourages affected users to continue to flush for the entire 15 minutes. Tepid is defined as 60° - 100° F (15.6-37.8° C). If using flushing fluid outside of the tepid range, bodily inju- ries may be exacerbated. Fluid that is too cold or too hot is ex- tremely uncomfortable and deters flushing for the full 15 min- utes. In addition, prolonged exposure to near-freezing water has been proven to affect the body’s ability to maintain body tem- perature, increasing the risk of hypothermia. If the fluid delivered to the affected user is over 100° F, it’s possible that the hot water could exacerbate a chemical interaction with the eyes and skin. Whenever possible, consult a physician to determine the rec- ommended temperature based on specific types of hazardous chemicals or materials. Ryan Pfund is Senior Product Manager, Emergency Fixtures, for Bradley Corporation of Menomonee Falls, Wis., a USGBC & ISEA member and maker of emergency systems, plumbing fixtures, wash- room accessories, locker room items, and water heaters. 36 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 www.ohsonline.com