ACCIDENT PREVENTION
S20.45
Revised 1-04
Environmental Health and Safety
335-3041
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POLICY
Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious chemicals and/or materials, departments are to provide suitable facilities within the work area for immediate emergency use to quickly drench or flush the eyes and body.
When activities involving the use of chemicals are not at a fixed location, contact Environmental Health and Safety for an evaluation and recommendation.
NOTE: Emergency washing facilities are not to be substitutes for the use of appropriate personal protective devices, e.g., goggles. See S30.10.
Installation
There are several types of emergency washing facilities, e.g., plumbed, self-contained, personal, drench hoses, showers. Contact EH&S for an evaluation and recommendation as to the type of emergency washing facilities required; telephone 335-3041.
TRAINING
The supervisor is responsible for providing instructions regarding the location and proper use of emergency washing facilities. Contact EH&S for assistance with setting up a training program.
Reporting
Each employee who participates in employee development activities and training programs (e.g., emergency washing procedures training; new employee orientation) completes a Training Report for each program attended. Contact Human Resource Services for assistance.
If a Training Report is not available for the program, the employee may substitute documentation that confirms participation. The substitute documentation must include the following information:
- Course name,
- Course date,
- Length of course,
- Course sponsor,
- Employee name, and
- Employee social security number.
Route the original documentation to Human Resource Services and place a copy in the employee's departmental personnel file.
Eyewashing
To wash eyes, hold the eyelids open and role the eyeballs so that flushing fluid will flow on all surfaces of the eyes and under the eyelids.
Consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the amount of time required to flush the specific chemical from the eyes. See S80.60. If the MSDS does not specify a time, immediately wash the eyeball and the inner service of the eyelid with plenty of water for 15 minutes.
Drench Hosing
Drench hoses may be used to irrigate and flush the face or other parts of the body. NOTE: Use drench hoses in addition to emergency washing facilities. Do not substitute drench hoses for emergency showers or eyewashes.
Definition
Drench hoses are handheld water-spraying devices used for rinsing the body, particularly the lower extremities.
FACILITY INSPECTIONS
Eyewashes and Drench Hoses
Principal Investigator/Supervisor
The principal investigator/supervisor or designee activates and inspects all eyewashes and drench hoses weekly to verify proper operation.
The amount of time the eyewash or drench hose is activated depends on the amount of debris in the system. The inspector activates the eyewash or drench hose until the water is clear and debris is removed.
The inspector verifies the following:
- Emergency eyewash and drench hose areas are free from trash, debris or other obstructions;
- Equipment is free from leakage;
- Eyewash water streams are adequate to irrigate and flush both eyes simultaneously (WAC 296-800-15030);
- Drench hose water streams are adequate to flush the face or other parts of the body (WAC 296-800-15040);
- All parts are in good condition and operable; and
- Emergency washing facilities using lab water or any other type of nonpotable water are labeled with signs which indicate that the water is nonpotable.
Contact Facilities Operations or EH&S for assistance with verifying proper eyewash and drench hose operation.
Report Problems
Report units not functioning in accordance with the above requirements to Facilities Operations and EH&S.
EH&S
EH&S inspects eyewash stations and drench hose units during laboratory reviews.
Showers
Facilities Operations
Facilities Operations inspects all emergency showers upon initial installation and annually thereafter.
The Facilities Operations inspector verifies the following:
- Emergency shower areas are free from trash, debris or other obstructions;
- Equipment is free from leakage;
- Water streams are adequate to flush the face or other parts of the body (WAC 296-800-15040);
- All parts are in good condition and operable; and
- Emergency washing facilities using lab water or any other type of nonpotable water are labeled with signs which indicate that the water is nonpotable.
Contact Facilities Operations or EH&S for assistance with verifying proper emergency shower operation.
Report Problems
Report emergency showers not functioning in accordance with the above requirements to Facilities Operations and EH&S.