Approved 15-minute eyewash/shower

29 CFR 1910.151(c)

OSHA Regulations and ANSI Standards

Paragraph (c) of 29 CFR 1910.151 requires that suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing be provided within the work area for immediate use if an employee's eyes or body may be exposed to corrosive materials.

The OSHA standard does not, however, provide specific instruction regarding the installation and operation of emergency eyewash and shower equipment, because it refers to ANSI to establish the standard. The ANSI standard is the recognized source of guidance to comply with OSHA 1910.151(c)

ANSI Z358.1-2004

Standards Applied: ANSI Z358.1 (2004 Edition) - Establishes minimum performance requirements for eyewash and shower equipment for the emergency treatment of the eyes or body of a person who has been exposed to injurious materials. It covers the following types of equipment: emergency shower, eyewash equipment, eye/face wash equipment, hand-held drench hoses, and combination shower and eyewash or eye/face wash.

Why 15 minutes?

• When a corrosive chemical comes into contact with eyes or skin, tissue damage begins immediately. The affected area must be irrigated immediately with water uninterrupted for 15 minutes.

• The first 10 to 15 seconds after exposure to a hazardous chemical are critical. Delaying treatment, even for a few seconds, may cause serious injury.

• Emergency showers and eyewash stations provide on-the-spot decontamination. They allow workers to flush away hazardous chemicals that can cause injury.

Emergency Showers……

• Are designed to provide a deluge large enough to encompass the whole body.

• Deliver a potable water at least 20 inches across, flowing at a rate of at least 20 gallons per minute

• The diameter ensures the entire body receives a direct, fresh supply of water.

TIP: Don’t forget to install a floor drain or some other means of proper fluid disposal

that complies with local, state and federal codes. It’s not an ANSI requirement, but

there can be a lot of clean up if forgotten.

Eyewash Stations…..

Obstructed Eyewash Example

Consider this scenario:

A worker with bleach in their eyes, bumping into equipment, tables, clothes on hangers, storage boxes, then finding the eyewash station was not hooked up to water!

Approved Eyewash Stations…

10-Second Rule, 100 Feet Rule

The 10-Second Rule Emergency showers or eyewashes must be accessible within 10

seconds or less of a hazard. To be effective, employees must be informed and trained on the use and location of emergency equipment.

The 100-feet Rule The travel distance to the eyewash station or shower should not

exceed 100 feet.

TIP: If you asked any employee in your facility to locate the closest emergency fixture in their work area, could they do so? Employees change and people are forgetful. Make it a point to periodically remind workers of nearby safety equipment.

Helpful Hints….

• CAPS- will prevent dirt from getting into the unit & thus into your eyes when the unit is put into use.

• Portable- can go anywhere with you • Approved units hold at least 15 minutes of water. • Don’t need plumbing with portable units, thus

you can treat areas inaccessible to plumbing• Inexpensive• Test units every 30 days• Users should be able to locate a unit with their

eyes closed.

Watch out for…..

• Portable units can lose water pressure• Make sure the unit is not a 1-time use unit• Water can evaporate in some units• Units are subject to sabotage/vandalism • Plumbing units are costly• Eyewash bottles are never a replacement for an actual

unit• Units must supple fluid to both eyes simultaneously• Check to make sure the flushing system fluid supply

valve stays open without the use of the operators hands• The facility should be clearly marked and in an

accessible location• Walkways to the eyewash station should always be clear

To obtain a copy of this ANSI standard, contact:

American National standards Institute, Inc.

11 West 42nd Street

New York, New York 10036

Phone– (212) 642-4900

Web Site– www.ansi.org