In our last blog post we talked about Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) regulations in regards to Emergency Showers & Eye Wash Stations. We also introduced American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) standards that cover all situations where employees are exposed to hazardous materials. These regulations help employers select and install the correct emergency equipment that meets OSHA requirements. In this blog post we will expand upon and list out specific Emergency Shower and Eyewash Station requirements listed in the ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2009 standard.

Emergency Shower Requirements

Plumbed Shower: An emergency shower permanently connected to a source of potable water
Self-Contained Shower: A shower that contains its own flushing fluid, and must be refilled or replaced after use

The specifications below are for plumbed showers only.

• Heads
  • Positioned 82″—96″ from floor
  • Spray pattern will have a minimum diameter of 20″ at 60″ above the floor
  • Flow Rate=20 gallons per minute (GPM) at 30 pounds per square inch (PSI)
  • The center of the spray pattern shall be located at least 16 inches from any obstruction
• Valves
  • Activate in 1 second or less
  • Stay-open valve (no use of hands)
  • Valve remains on until the user shuts it off
• Installation
  • Emergency Shower shall be located in an area that requires no more than 10 seconds to reach.
    • *Consult a medical professional to determine the appropriate distance for harsh acids and caustics (high hazard=closer distance)
  • Shower location shall be in a well-lit area and identified with a sign
  • Shower shall be located on the same level as the hazard
• Maintenance and Training
  • Plumbed emergency showers will be activated weekly to verify correct operation
  • All employees who might be exposed to a chemical splash shall be trained in the use of the equipment
  • All showers shall be inspected annually to make sure they meet with ANSI Z358.1 requirements

Eye Wash Station Requirements

Plumbed Eye Wash Station: An eye wash unit permanently connected to a source of potable water
Gravity-Feed Eye Wash Station: An eye wash device that contains its own flushing fluid and must be refilled or replaced after use

• Heads
  • Positioned 33″—45″ from floor
  • Positioned 6″ from wall or nearest obstruction
  • 0.4 gallons per minute (GPM) for 15 minutes for plumbed units shall provide flushing fluid at 30 PSI
  • 0.4 gallons per minute (GPM) for 15 minutes for gravity-feed units
• Valves
  • Activate in 1 second or less
  • Stay-open valve (leaving hands free)
• Installation
  • Eye wash station shall be located in an area that requires no more than 10 seconds to reach.
    • *Consult a medical professional to determine the appropriate distance for harsh acids and caustics (high hazard=closer distance)
  • The location of the eye wash station shall be in a well-lit area and identified with a sign
  • Eye wash stations shall be on the same level as the hazard
• Maintenance and Training
  • A plumbed eye wash station shall be activated weekly to verify proper operation
  • Gravity-feed units shall be maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions
  • All employees who might be exposed to a chemical splash shall be trained in the use of the equipment
  • All eye/face wash stations shall be inspected annually to make sure they meet ANSI Z358.1 requirements

Eye/Face Wash Station Requirements

An Eye/Face Wash Station is a device used to irrigate and flush both the face and the eyes.

• Heads
  • Positioned 33″—45″ from floor
  • 6″ from wall or nearest obstruction
  • Large heads to cover both eyes and face or regular size eye wash heads plus a face spray ring
  • 3 gallons per minute (GPM) for 15 minutes
• Valves
  • Activate in 1 second or less
  • Stay-open valve (leaving hands free)
• Installation
  • Eye/face wash shall be located in an area that requires no more than 10 seconds to reach.
    • *Consult a medical professional to determine the appropriate distance for harsh acids and caustics (high hazard=closer distance)
  • The location of the eye/face wash station shall be in a well-lit area and identified with a sign
  • Eye/face wash stations shall be on the same level as the hazard
• Maintenance and Training
  • A plumbed eye/face wash station shall be activated weekly to verify proper operation
  • Gravity-feed units shall be maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions
  • All employees who might be exposed to a chemical splash shall be trained in the use of the equipment
  • All eye/face wash stations shall be inspected annually to make sure they meet ANSI Z358.1 requirements

Personal Eye Wash and Eyesaline Requirements

A Personal Eye Wash is a supplementary eye wash that supports plumbed units, gravity-feed units, or both by delivering immediate flushing fluid. Personal eye wash units can provide immediate flushing when they are located near the workstations. Personal eye wash equipment does not meet the requirements of plumbed or gravity-feed eye wash equipment. Personal eye wash units can support plumbed or gravity-feed eye wash units, but cannot be a substitute. Personal eye wash can be delivered through bottles of saline solution designed to simulate human tears. Individual bottles can be carried by workers and provide relief in the crucial seconds until an approved eye wash station installation can be reached.

Personal Eye Wash and Eyesaline Available at Tanner

• EW KIT – PhysiciansCare Combination Eyewash & First Aid Station
• EW FS – Pac-Kit Eyewash Station – (3) 8 oz. Bottles
• EW 16OZ – Pac-Kit Eyewash Station – (1) 16 oz. Bottle
• EW 16OZ-2 – Pac-Kit Eyewash Station – (2) 16 oz. Bottles
• EW 32OZ – Pac-Kit Eyewash Station – (1) 32 oz. Bottle
• EW 32OZ-2 – Pac-Kit Eyewash Station – (2) 32 oz. Bottles

Drench Hose Requirements

A drench hose is a flexible hose connected to a water supply and used to irrigate and flush eyes, face and body areas. Hand-held drench hoses support shower and eyewash units but shall not replace them according to the ANSI standards.

• Heads
  • 3 gallons per minute (GPM)
• Valve
  • Activate in 1 second or less
• Installation
  • Assemble per the manufacturer’s instructions
  • The location of the drench hose shall be in a well-lit area and identified with a sign
• Maintenance and Training
  • Activate each drench hose weekly to verify proper operation
  • All employees who might be exposed to a chemical splash shall be trained in the use of the equipment
  • All drench hose equipment shall be inspected annually to make sure they meet ANSI Z358.1 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.

Check back soon for our next blog post on the emergency shower & eyewash station requirements listed in the ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2009 standard.

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