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Ames Procedural
Requirements

APR 8715.1

Effective Date: July 16, 2012
Expiration Date: July 16, 2017

COMPLIANCE IS MANDATORY

Ames Health and Safety Procedural Requirements

Chapter 18 - Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment

18.1 Responsibilities
18.2 References
18.3 Definitions

18.1 Responsibilities

18.1.1 Center Director and project managers shall:

  1. Suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate use where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injuries from hazardous materials, per 29 CFR 1910.151(c), 8 CCR 5162 and NPR 8715.3C.
  2. Drench hoses and personal eyewashes are not a substitute but may be used as supplemental equipment when in full conformance with ANSI/ISEA Z358.1.

18.1.2 Supervisors shall:

  1. Ensure access to emergency eyewash and showers is unobstructed at all times.
  2. Ensure that emergency shower and eyewash equipment are tested and maintained in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
  1. Ensure that employees who work in these areas are trained and proficient with the equipment.
  1. Ensure fluid is refilled or replaced after use of self-contained units.

18.1.3 Equipment Requirements

18.1.3.1 Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment Locations

  1. Emergency eyewash and shower equipment is required under the following circumstances:
  1. Wet chemistry laboratories.
  2. Lead acid battery charging stations. (8 CCR 5185)
  3. Waste water treatment facilities.
  4. Hazardous waste handling facilities.
  5. Chlorination treatment facilities and operations (swimming pools).
  6. At location where corrosives with pH less than 3 or pH greater than 10 are stored, handled or used.
  7. Any material that because of its quantity, concentration, physical or chemical characteristics, or manner of use poses a significant hazard to eyes or skin.

18.1.3.2 Equipment Selection

  1. General

All new emergency eyewash and shower equipment must be certified to meet the requirements of ANSI/ISEA Z358.1.

  1. Plumbed Units
  1. Certified units are required for all operations listed under Section 18.5.1.
  2. The preferred equipment is a combination deluge shower and foot-operated eyewash fountain that fully drenches a contaminated person and also allows free use of hands to assist opening the eyes while rinsing them.
  3. Self-Contained Units
  1. In areas where potable water is not available, self-contained eyewash or shower equipment is acceptable.
  2. Self-contained eyewashes shall be capable of delivering to the eyes not less than 1.5 liters (0.4 GPM) per minute for 15 minutes.
  3. c. Self-contained units shall meet the requirements of ANSI/ISEA Z358.1

18.1.3.3 Equipment Access

  1. The location of emergency equipment shall be as close to the hazard as possible, in accessible areas requiring no more than 10 seconds to reach, within a travel distance no greater than 100 feet from the hazard, and no travel through doors or use of stairs. Travel distance shall not exceed 50 feet for hazards in laboratories, per NPR 8715.3C. Site or operation-specific circumstances may require closer installation e.g., large amounts of corrosives in open containers.
  2. 2. The location shall not become hazardous when the eyewash or shower is used e.g., near exposed electrical contacts.

18.1.3.4 Equipment Maintenance

  1. Plumbed eyewash and shower equipment shall be activated at least monthly to flush the line.
  2. Self-contained equipment and personal eyewashes shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer�s instructions and ANSI/ISEA Z358.1.
  3. Activate plumbed eyewashes and showers weekly to check basic function and availability of water.
  4. Inspect emergency eyewashes and showers annually to assure conformance with ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 installation requirements.

18.1.3.5 Equipment Installation and Performance

  1. Eyewash and shower equipment shall meet or exceed the installation and performance requirements as specified in ANSI/ISEA Z358.1.
  2. All eyewash and shower equipment shall be inspected and tested upon initial installation to assure their performance complies with ANSI/ISEA Z358.1.
  3. Eyewash nozzles shall be protected from airborne contaminants with cover caps. Their removal shall not require a separate motion by the operator when activating the unit.

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18.2 References

  1. 29 CFR 1910.151, OSHA Standards for General Industry, Medical Services and First Aid
  2. 8 CCR Section 5162, Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment
  3. 8 CCR Section 5185, Changing and Charging Storage Batteries
  4. ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment, 2009
  5. NPR 8715.3C NASA General Safety Program Requirements

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18.3 Definitions

Combination Unit: An interconnected assembly of emergency equipment supplied by a single source of flushing fluid.

Drench Hose: A supplemental device consisting of a flexible hose connected to a flushing fluid supply and used to provide fluid to irrigate and flush face and body areas.

Emergency Shower: A device specifically designed and intended to deliver flushing fluid in sufficient volume to cause that fluid to cascade over the entire body.

Eye/Face Wash: A device used to provide fluid to irrigate and flush both the face and the eyes simultaneously.

Eyewash: A device used to provide fluid to irrigate and flush the eyes.

Flushing Fluid: Potable water, preserved water, preserved buffered saline solution or other medically acceptable solution manufactured and labeled in accordance with applicable government regulations.

Hazardous Materials: Any substance or compound that has the capability of producing adverse effects on the health or safety of humans.

Personal Eyewash: A supplementary eyewash that supports plumbed units, self contained units, or both, by delivering immediate flushing fluid.

Plumbed Eyewash: An eyewash unit permanently connected to a source of potable water.

Potable Water: Water that is suitable for drinking.

Self-Closing Valve: A valve that closes automatically when released.

Self-Contained Eyewash: An eyewash device that contains its own flushing.

Self-Contained Shower: A shower that contains its own flushing.

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