Are Your Eyewash Stations Up to Standard?
Eyewash stations are critical for protecting vision. In fact OSHA requires eyewashes to be placed within 10-seconds of any potential injury location so they will be ready if someone is splashed with a hazardous chemical. But other standards also apply. OSHA, ANSI and even ADA requirements affect eyewash placement and operation.
Emergency safety equipment must be instantly accessible and easy to use by all employees, including those with disabilities. That means ensuring that equipment complies with both the ANSI Z358.1 standard and the accessible buildings provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Eyewashes and ADA Standards
Because there are no conflicts between the ADA code and the ANSI standard, compliance can be achieved by giving some careful thought to equipment, site selection and installation.
While ADA has no specific guidelines for eyewashes or eye/face washes, it does have other guidelines that can be helpful – such as maximum sink and/or counter height. ADA allows a maximum sink and/or counter height of 34 inches above the floor. The same guidelines mandate that the bubbler outlet of a drinking fountain cannot exceed 36 inches above the floor for wheelchair use. Assuming that someone in a wheelchair will need approximately the same access to use an eye/face wash as a drinking fountain, it makes sense to locate eye wash heads below the 36-inch maximum – although many eyewash heads often measure 39 inches above the floor.
OSHA Eyewash Standards
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151(c) focuses on emergency showers and eye wash stations specifically by addressing the need for facilities to enable workers to flush themselves of corrosive materials.
It states, “Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.”
Other standards address specific industries and the hazards associated with them.
Eyewash Stations and Signs:
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ANSI Compliance
The ANSI Z358.1-2014 standard is the a comprehensive definition of eyewash standards. It provides minimum requirements for design, installation, maintenance and inspection of emergency safety shower stations and emergency eye wash stations. Some critical elements of the ANSI standard include:
- Location
- Flow Rate
- Temperature
Portable eyewash stations are important safety equipment for worksites or anywhere a continuous flow of potable water isn’t available.
If your operation includes eye washes, eye/face washes or drench showers, this paper is worth a read. And remember, proper signage for emergency safety equipment is a must.