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EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SHOWERS

EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SHOWERS. FOR TULANE LABORATORY OR FACILITY EMPLOYEES WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR CHEMICAL SPLASH TO THE EYES OR SKIN January, 2005. OBJECTIVES.

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EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SHOWERS

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  1. EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SHOWERS FOR TULANE LABORATORY OR FACILITY EMPLOYEES WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR CHEMICAL SPLASH TO THE EYES OR SKIN January, 2005 Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  2. OBJECTIVES • To review the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) guidelines for emergency showers, plumbed eyewashes, personal eyewashes, and drench hoses • To review concerns noted during OEHS inspections • To review responsibilities and the need for testing of emergency showers and eyewash equipment Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  3. EMERGENCY SHOWERSTHE FOLLOWING ARE ANSI GUIDELINES: • Showers shall be no more than 10 seconds from the hazard. • Showers shall be located on the same level as the hazard, and the path of travel shall be free of obstructions. • Showers shall be identified with a highly visible sign. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  4. EMERGENCY SHOWERSTHE FOLLOWING ARE ANSI GUIDELINES: • Valve actuators shall be not more than 69 inches above the level on which the user stands. (Note: The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that shower handles extend to 48 inches from the floor.) • The valve shall remain on without requiring use of operator’s hands until intentionally shut off. • Showers shall deliver 20 gal/min of tepid water for a minimum 15 minute period. • There is no mention of floor drains in the ANSI Standards. They are not required. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  5. EMERGENCY EYEWASHESTHE FOLLOWING ARE ANSI GUIDELINES: • Eyewashes shall be no more than 10 seconds from the hazard, and shall be immediately adjacent for a strong acid or caustic. • Eyewashes shall be located on the same level as the hazard and the path of travel shall be free of obstructions. • Eyewashes shall be identified with a highly visible sign. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  6. EMERGENCY EYEWASHESTHE FOLLOWING ARE ANSI GUIDELINES: • Eyewashes shall deliver 0.4 gal/min of tepid water for a minimum 15 minutes. They shall provide flushing fluid to both eyes simultaneously. • Nozzles shall be protected from airborne contaminants, and removal shall not require a separate motion by the activator of the unit. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  7. EMERGENCY EYEWASHESTHE FOLLOWING ARE ANSI GUIDELINES: • The valve shall remain on without requiring use of the operator’s hands until intentionally shut off. • Plumbed equipment shall be activated weekly to verify proper operation. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  8. PERSONAL EYEWASHEQUIPMENT(such as squeeze bottles of flushing solution)THE FOLLOWING ARE ANSI GUIDELINES: • Personal eyewash equipment supports plumbed and self-contained units, but shall not replace them. • Instructions and expiration date shall be permanently affixed to the unit. • Flushing fluid temperature shall be tepid. • A personal eyewash may be kept in the immediate vicinity of a potential hazard, but after immediate flushing, the injured person should proceed to a plumbed eyewash for the required 15-minute period. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  9. PERSONAL EYEWASHEQUIPMENT(such as squeeze bottles of flushing solution) • OEHS does not recommend personal eyewash equipment because it does not supply a 15-minute supply of water to properly wash the eyes in an emergency. • Personal eyewash equipment may be used in field areas where there is no water source until the person can get to a proper eyewash station – however, the equipment must be maintained (no expired date on flushing solution, bottle kept clean and free of debris, etc.) Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  10. HAND-HELD DRENCH HOSESTHE FOLLOWING ARE ANSI GUIDELINES: • Hand-held drench hoses provide support for emergency shower and eyewash units but shall not replace them. • Drench hoses shall be identified with a highly visible sign. • Drench hoses shall deliver a minimum of 3 gal/min of flushing fluid for a minimum of 15 minutes. • Delivered flushing fluid temperature shall be tepid. • Plumbed equipment shall be activated weekly to verify proper operation. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  11. TESTING EMERGENCY EYEWASHES AND SHOWERS • ANSI recommends eyewashes and drench hoses be activated weekly. At Tulane, this is the responsibility of the PI or supervisor of the area. Problems should be reported to Facilities Services. • Weekly flushing of plumbed eyewash stations is critical to lower bacterial contamination and to remove impurities in the plumbing lines. • Showers must be tested at least annually by Facilities Services. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  12. EMERGENCY EYEWASHES AND SHOWERSCONCERNS NOTED DURING ANNUAL OEHS INSPECTIONS: • Equipment located too far away (>10 seconds away) in hazardous areas (esp. if corrosives or formaldehyde are used) • Signage or inspection tags are needed • Equipment not being inspected on a regular basis • Plastic eyewash bottles are dirty or have expired solutions Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  13. EMERGENCY EYEWASHES AND SHOWERSCONCERNS NOTED DURING ANNUAL OEHS INSPECTIONS: • Obstructions are preventing access to equipment • Shower pull chain is too high • Eyewash located in radioactive sink • Eyewash or shower is needed in work area due to use of corrosives or irritants • Plumbed eyewash or shower needed, but only drench hose or personal eyewash bottle available Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  14. EMERGENCY EYEWASHES AND SHOWERS • If signage or inspection tags are needed for an eyewash or shower in your area, contact OEHS. • For additional information on eyewashes or emergency showers, see the OEHS Policies and Procedures Manual which can be found on the OEHS website, www.som.tulane.edu/oehs. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  15. EMERGENCY EYEWASHES AND SHOWERS - SUMMARY • Plumbed emergency eyewash and shower equipment is needed in work areas where corrosive or irritating chemicals are used. • Eyewash/shower equipment needs to be easily located, unobstructed, tested and maintained. • ANSI guidelines give details on the requirements and proper operation of emergency eyewash and shower equipment. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  16. Tulane UniversityOffice of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)www.som.tulane.edu/oehsPam Fatland, Chemical Safety Manager(504) 988-2800 / pfatlan@tulane.eduIf unable to proceed to quiz, type the link below into your browserhttp://aurora.tcs.tulane.edu/ehs/enterssn.cfm?testnum=13 Proceed to Quiz

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