Page 57 - OHS, June 2024

Streamlining Safety
User-friendly features in eyewashes and emergency fixtures make all the difference.
BY RYAN PFUND
User-friendly features in eyewashes and emergency show- ers are essential for ensuring quick and effective response during emergency situations. After all, when less time and motion is required for activating plumbed emergency
equipment – with readily available tepid water – the better the out- come for users in need of prompt washdown relief from chemical or hazardous exposures.
This article analyzes key product features of eyewashes and emergency shower equipment that are designed to streamline op- eration of this equipment and improve results. At a glance, these features include ergonomic activation, extended washdown cov- erage technology, reliable tepid water delivery systems, integrated eyewash and shower systems, portable eyewash stations and emer- gency signaling systems.
First, it’s helpful to understand how eyewashes and emergency showers operate, in general, and the standard technique employed by users.
Understanding How Equipment Should Work
Emergency safety showers and eyewashes are designed to flush away hazardous substances from the eyes, face or body, and prevent permanent eye and skin damage from chemical burns or foreign substances generated by grinding, hammering,
chipping, testing, pouring, storing, transporting and disposing operations.
Emergency, or drench, showers work by simply pulling down on the drench shower handle while standing directly underneath the showerhead to drench the entire body. In general, the shower valve operates by a pull rod mechanism. It is important to remain under the shower for a 15-minute continuous flush and be sure to remove clothing while drenching, as contaminated clothing left on skin could exacerbate the user’s injury.
Eye and eye/face washes work by pushing a handle or lifting a bowl cover. The face should then be positioned directly in the flushing fluid, while the user holds their eyelids open with their hands. The user should roll their eyes around while they are posi- tioned directly in the eyewash streams to effectively rinse the entire eye for 15 minutes.
To encourage a full and effective flush of the affected area, whether it’s with an eyewash or drench shower, it’s essential to have direct and on-demand access to tepid water — per ANSI re- quirements. ANSI Z358.1-2014 stipulates that an injured worker remains beneath the drench shower and/or flush their eyes/face for a minimum of 15 minutes to increase the likelihood of a complete and successful treatment, and minimize the possibility of inadver- tently spreading hazardous material to other areas.
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JUNE 2024 | Occupational Health & Safety 55
EMERGENCY SHOWERS & EYEWASH
Photo courtesy of Bradley