COMPLIANCE SECTION

New Emergency Eyewash and
Shower Requirements

INTRODUCTION
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 29 CFR 1910.151 requires that adequate quick drenching and flushing facilities be available within the workplace, and has used ANSI Z358.1 Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment, to evaluate the adequacy of the flushing facilities. Revisions to the former 1981 version of the standard changed the minimum requirements for compliance. The primary changes are listed below.

FLUSHING FACILITY LOCATIONS
Prior to revision, drenching and flushing facilities were to be located within 100 feet from the hazard. Now, flushing facilities must be located so that an injured person can reach emergency facilities within 10 seconds. Safety factors that would impact one’s ability to reach the flushing station within 10 seconds are listed in the Appendix of the standard and include items such as obstacles, travel path, corrosivity of materials, etc. As an example, a flushing facility may be located up to 100 feet away from the hazard, assuming there is adequate lighting, no obstacles in the path of travel and the employee has had adequate training such that he/she could reach the flushing station within the 10 second period.

LOWER FLOWRATE OF FLUSHING FLUID
Studies have demonstrated that neutralization of contaminants by emergency showers having a flowrate of 20 gallons per minute (gpm) was just as effective as that of showers having a 30 gpm flowrate, provided that an adequate spray pattern was provided. Twenty gpm is now the minimum flowrate required. The standard also provides an illustration of the approved spray pattern requirements.

LUKEWARM OR “TEPID” WATER TEMPERATURE
Medical recommendations to change water temperature have been incorporated based on findings that exposure to cold fluids for extended periods affects the body’s ability to maintain adequate temperature and can result in incomplete and inadequate first aid treatment to the affected tissue. The revised standard requires that flushing fluid be at a “tepid” or lukewarm temperature to ensure workers flush affected areas for a full 15 minutes.

OTHER CONCERNS FOR EMPLOYERS
Other safety issues addressed in the Appendix to the standard include, but are not limited to:

• Proper disposal of waste fluids from emergency eyewash stations and showers;
• Drainage from elevated showers or showers at grade level;
• Operation of flushing facilities in freezing temperatures;
• Worker access to flushing facilities within their specific work areas;
• Supply pressure and lines associated with required flow rates.
  

Please contact Dan Woody or Jerry Beaudion at (513) 489-2255 or toll free at (800) 229-1443 or by e-mail at dtw@paynefirm.com or ghb@paynefirm.com for more information or any questions.