intent:

this document provides direction to ensure that university employees (staff/faculty) follow procedures that maintain functional emergency facilities. 

scope:

this policy applies to all eyewash stations and emergency showers on campus. 

definitions:

emergency shower                a drench or deluge shower that is designed to sustain a water cascade over the entire body.

eyewash station                     designed to flush the eyes and face only.  the units installed by the university can maintain an uninterrupted supply of water.

legislation and standards

o. reg 851, industrial establishments, sections 81, 124, 125.

american standards institute (ansi) standard: z358.1 – 2009: emergency eyewash and shower equipment

procedure:

the need for and type of equipment shall be determined by the area supervisor in consultation with the office of human resources – health and safety.

1. new emergency equipment shall conform to the american national standard institute (ansi) z358.1 – 2009 emergency eyewash and shower equipment and all amendments.
   

guidelines:

emergency showers:

1. shower locations must be identified with a highly visible sign; the areas must be well lit and free from obstructions.
2. it is the responsibility of the department chair or the areasupervisor to assign responsibility for the testing of the shower facilities and to ensure compliance to these guidelines.
3. the function of the shower shall be verified every six months and recorded on the emergency shower record tag.  the tag shall be displayed in a visible location near the shower unit.  see appendix a for testing parameters.
4. replacement tags are available from human resources.
5. arrangements can be made to borrow shower testing equipment from physical plant, 343-8273.
6. electrical equipment must never be placed near the shower.  should an electrical panel be located adjacent to a shower unit, it must be covered with a plastic panel.  if the cover is missing physical plant must be immediately notified at 343-8273.

eyewash stations:

1. it is the responsibility of the department chair or the area supervisor to assign responsibility for the testing of the eyewash facilities and to ensure compliance to these guidelines.
2. plumbed eyewash stations shall be activated weekly when labs are in use to verify proper operation.  the check shall be recorded on the supplied record tag.  see appendix a for testing parameters.
3. to ensure correct operation of the eyewash, the paddle must be fully activated. personnel must be aware of this operation requirement.
4. replacement tags are available from human resources.
5. periods of inactivity in the lab (eyewash station testing not required) must be noted on the eyewash record tag.
6. the nozzles on the eyewash unit must be protected from airborne contaminants.  dust covers are supplied with the units.  activation of the unit will remove the dust covers without a separate motion by the operator.  this shall be verified as part of the weekly check.
7. eyewash locations shall be identified with a highly visible sign and the areas shall be well lit and kept free from obstructions.
8. personal eyewash equipment can be used as support to plumbed eyewash units or where there is no access to plumbing (i.e. field trips).  instructions and the expiration date must be affixed to the unit or bottle.  expired solutions must be disposed.

evaluation:

this procedure shall be evaluated by the health and safety officer every two years.

click here to download the emergency eyewash testing parameters checklist