 Many companies do not have any idea whether or not they are required to have an emergency eyewash station available in a particular work area.
This article will begin to help identify some common applications that require emergency eyewash be made available. Does you place of work have any of the following?
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Painting Operations & Solvents
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Battery Charging Stations
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Tool Parts Washers
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Chemical Pumping or Mixing Areas
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Hazardous Chemical Storage
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Laboratories
While this is not a comprehensive list of potential hazardous areas that require emergency eyewash, it's a good start. If your facility has any of these types of work hazards you should read on:
Eye Wash Stations are one of the Top 10 Violations
When OSHA reported their Top 10 industry violations back in early 2005, they listed First Aid-Eye Wash/emergency as the 5th most violated rule. The companies in violation did not have emergency eyewash or emergency shower facilities in near proximity to employees. They either didn't have it at all, or it was not close enough to meet the 10 second rule.
more about the OSHA Standard 1910.151(c) and their interpretations found here.
ANSI (American Nation Standards Institute) created a standard
 ANSI Z358.1 -2004 mandating that Fifteen-Minute primary eyewash devices “shall be in accessible locations that require no more than 10 seconds to reach.” Studies have shown that there are significant differences in the outcome of chemically burned eyes that received prompt irrigation compared with those that did not undergo immediate flushing. In cases where eyes were flushed promptly, patients required less surgery, had shorter hospital stays and made a more rapid recovery.
Below are the Components of the ANSI Z358.1 – 2004 standard:
- Fifteen-Minute primary eyewash devices must be immediately adjacent to severe caustic and chemical hazards.
- Eyewash units must be located on the same level as the hazard. The path of travel must be free of obstructions to allow the injured to get to the eyewash station within the required 10 seconds.
- Injured must be capable of activating the unit with one single motion.
- Emergency eyewash stations must deliver flushing solutions to both eyes at a minimum flat rate of 0.4 gallons (1.5 liters) per minute for 15 minutes. The immediacy of irrigation is the critical component, provided that the volume and flow pattern are sufficient to flush completely in and around the eye.
- Eyewash units must be capable of delivering fluid within one second of the unit being activated while also remaining open for the complete fifteen-minute flushing duration.
- Tepid temperature is required of all flushing solutions.
- Eyewash station location should be identified with proper signage calling the unit out to those working with or around the hazardous substance.
Visit www.ansi.org for more complete and comprehensive ANSI Z358.1-2004 details. The importance of continuous irrigation after the 15-minute flush is critical! Continuous irrigation should continue until the injured person is under the supervision of a medical professional. Personal devices such as a bottle of eyewash are satisfactory for this application during transport, but, remember; full primary 15-minute flushing units are still the on-site requirement.
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