OSHA/ANSI Emergency Shower & Eye Wash Station Requirements

When talking about regulations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has two different types, general and specific. This goes for emergency shower & eyewash station equipment as well. This safety equipment is designed to promote eye safety under certain work conditions. The first regulation we will talk about will be the general regulation that all applicable facilities are required to follow. The second regulation will have to be followed by the specific industries mentioned below.

OSHA’ General Regulation

OSHA’s general regulation is applicable to all facilities that require the installation of an emergency shower or eye wash station equipment as a form of first aid. [29 CFR 1910.151 (c)]

“Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.”

OSHA’s Specific Regulation

The second OSHA regulation in this area specifies certain industries that must include emergency eye wash equipment in every facility. These industries include: Activities Utilizing an Open Surface Tank, Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia, Powered Industrial Trucks, Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Manufacturing, Telecommunications, and Hazardous Materials.

ANSI Operating & Installation Requirements

Both of OSHA’s regulations above specify where and when emergency shower and eye wash stations must be available, but they do not specify minimum operation requirements or installation and set up requirements. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) stepped in and developed the ANSI standard Z358.1-1990. The ANSI standard may not have the backing power of an OSHA regulation, but this ANSI standard covers all situation where employees are exposed to hazardous materials. ANSI’s definition of Hazardous Material – includes caustic, as well as additional substances and compounds that have the capability of producing adverse effects on the heath and safety of humans. This Emergency Shower and Eyewash Equipment standard helps users select and install the correct emergency equipment to meet OSHA requirements. In our next blog post we will expand upon and list out emergency shower and eyewash station requirements that are taken directly for the ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2009 standard.

The standard was revised in 2004 and 2009. The 2009 standard was prepared by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) and approved by ANSI. It is now known as ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2009.

Eyewash Protection Available at Tanner

Here at Tanner we want to be sure we can help protect our customers on the job site by providing them with all of their safety equipment needs. Of course this includes Eyewash Stations and other Eyewash Safety Products. Tanner offers both Gravity Feed Eyewash Stations & Pac-Kit Eyewash Stations. The Gravity Feed Eyewash Stations are mounted on the wall and are great for remote locations. Available in either 9 Gallon – EW 9G or 16 Gallon – EW 16G, both are certified by CSA to meet the ANSI Z358.1 Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment. We also carries Pac-Kit Eyewash Stations, these are compact, single use eyewash stations that are available in either single, double, or triple bottle eyewash stations. Each bottle contains a sterile isotonic buffered solution which is perfect for flushing the eyes or skin. Each also includes an eye cup for easy focusing of the fluid stream into the affected eyes. At Tanner we hope you never have to use one of these Eyewash Stations and we have one more piece of safety equipment to help prevent this, simple but effective Safety Googles and Glasses.

For all of your other Safety & Personal Protection Equipment needs be sure to shop at TannerBolt.com.