Page 35 - OHS, November/December 2024

specially designed devices to help assist in
testing. It’s a good idea to document main-
tenance by keeping a log of when the equip-
ment is fl ushed and inspected.
Flushing Fluid Quality
Th e ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 defi nes fl ush-
ing fl uid as “potable water, preserved wa-
ter, preserved buff ered saline solution or
other medically acceptable solutions.” For
plumbed emergency eyewash stations and
showers, the source of fl ushing fl uid is typi-
cally potable tap water from a municipal or
on-site water supply.
Th erefore, make sure the equipment is
connected to a clean, potable supply. A fi l-
tration system may be necessary, and some
eyewash products have a removable fi lter
screen built in to help collect sediment or
debris in the water before it gets to the eyes.
Water Temperature Controls
According to the current revision of ANSI/
ISEA Z358.1, water supplied to eyewash
and drench showers needs to be tepid. Tep-
id water is defi ned as 60-100° F or 16-38°
C. Th is temperature will need to be present
throughout the entire 15-minute drench.
To ensure properly heated tepid water,
consider installing temperature control
systems like thermostatic mixing valves or
electric tankless water heaters to make sure
that water stays at safe temperatures for the
full 15 minutes.
Dust Covers
Another important requirement for eye-
washes is using a hinged see-through plastic
or stainless-steel bowl cover that completely
shields the entire bowl from misuse and
contamination. Dust covers prevent build-
up of particulates, which could enter the
eye and further exacerbate injury. Th e see-
through plastic allows for quick and easy vi-
sual inspection and the hinging mechanism
provides a more secure hold. As the cover is
opened, the fi xture is immediately activated;
the cover is specifi cally designed to not in-
terfere with the fl ow of water. Dust covers
may also be installed on barrier-free fi xtures.
Eyewash Designs
for Increased Hygiene
A newer eye/face wash model utilizes a
self-draining design that eliminates any
settled water in the system between uses
and testing. It also reduces debris in the
water for additional eye protection and
Ryan Pfund is Senior Product Manager with
Bradley Company. Based in Menomonee Falls,
Wis., Bradley is a USGBC & ISEA member and
manufacturer of plumbing fi xtures, washroom
accessories, partitions, locker room products,
and emergency fi xtures.
REFERENCES
That easy.
1. tinyurl.com/53karypw
GreenGobblerSafety.com
2. tinyurl.com/mr472kup
www.ohsonline.com prevents clogging. In addition, this model
incorporates separate supply and waste
pipes to prevent cross-contamination from
the clean inlet and wastewater.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Th e importance of cleaning and disinfect-
ing work areas cannot be overstated. When
cleaning equipment, it’s essential to clean the
showerheads and eyewash nozzles with the
appropriate disinfectant. Wipe down all ex-
posed surface areas including basins, surfaces
and surrounding areas to eliminate microbes.
According to the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC), pathogens can remain viable
on surfaces for days. Th erefore, routine clean-
ing of workspaces and high-touch surfaces
such as handles, levers, switches, doorknobs,
faucets and equipment should be disinfect-
ed with Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)-registered disinfectants approved for
the type of surfaces. EPA provides a list of
registered products “List N”2 for disinfec-
tion products along with contact time and
targeted pathogens, including COVID-19.
Employee training for using these powerful
disinfectants is of utmost importance.
Emergency Signaling Systems
Sometimes stagnant water is left over from
false activations, tampering and other mis-
use by workers, leaving equipment vulner-
able to contamination. While hinged bowl
covers can protect eyewashes from interfer-
ing with equipment, emergency signaling
systems can alert facility staff when equip-
ment is being activated and, therefore, de-
ter unwanted tampering and potential con-
tamination.
Emergency signaling systems also help
to immediately alert and mobilize emer-
gency response teams to injured personnel
who are using emergency safety showers
and eye and eye/face wash fi xtures to im-
prove response time and the best safety
outcome.
By following these steps, you can sig-
nifi cantly reduce the risk of contamination
in your eyewash stations, and help provide
the most hygienic and safest workplace
possible.
showers without draining water.
Lift funnel, activate shower, and test 15
as easy as...
Safety shower testing made
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 | Occupational Health & Safety 35