WKU Emergency Eyewash/Shower Policy

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PURPOSE

This policy establishes procedures that are used in the upkeep and use of emergency eyewash and shower stations.

POLICY

It is the policy of the Western Kentucky University to provide its employees, students, and visitors with the safest working conditions that are practical and reasonably attainable. Therefore, emergency eyewash and shower stations are required where there is a reasonable probability of injury that may be addressed by an eyewash and/or shower station. The wearing of safety glasses, goggles, or face shields remains the primary means of controlling eye and face injuries. In addition, wearing of chemical resistant aprons or body suits is the primary protection for full body exposure to a chemical splash.

SCOPE

This standard practice applies to all University departments and employees at the University or University-controlled sites.

REFERENCES

A. OSHA Standard, 29 CFR 1910.151

B. OSHA Standard, 29 CFR 1926.50

C. ANSI Standard, Z358.1-1990, American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment

D. Laboratory Health and Safety Handbook, R. Scott Stricoff and Douglas B. Walters, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1990

DEFINITIONS

A. Combination Unit: A unit combining a shower with an eyewash or eye/face wash, or with a drench hose, or with both, into one common assembly.

B. Emergency Shower: A unit that enables the user to have water cascading over the entire body.

C. Eye-Face Wash: A device used to irrigate and flush both the face and the eyes.

D. Flushing Fluid: Potable water or other medically acceptable solution.

E. Hand-Held Drench Hose: A flexible hose connected to a water supply and used to irrigate and flush eyes, face, and body areas.

F. Personal Eyewash (Bottle): A supplementary eyewash that supports plumbed, self-contained eyewashes or both, by delivering immediate flushing for less than 15 minutes.

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

H. Potable Water: Water that is suitable for drinking.

I. Self-contained Eyewash: An eyewash device that contains its own flushing fluid hat must be refilled or replaced after each use. Self-contained eyewash stations must have at least a 15-minute fluid supply.

RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The WKU Environmental Health and Safety office (EHS) is the office of primary responsibility for ensuring that this program meets all applicable regulatory standards and is responsible for:

1. Conducting periodic audits of emergency shower and eyewash equipment to ensure continued efficiency and operation.

2. Providing appropriate training to the employees who are charged with flushing responsibilities of the various shower and eyewash equipment.

3. Providing appropriate training to employees in the proper use of emergency showers and eyewashes.

B. Department Chair/Director is responsible for:

1. Ensuring that employees who are required to use emergency showers and eyewashes are provided training in a timely manner.

2. Providing for the necessary emergency shower and eyewash equipment and/or parts as required. Requesting immediate repair for any malfunctioning eyewash or shower station.

C. Each affected employee is responsible for:

1. Following the requirements of this policy and for using the emergency

shower and eyewash equipment as trained.

2. Familiarizing themselves with the location and operation of the nearest eyewash and/or shower.

3. Reporting to their supervisor any incident that required the use of an eyewash and/or shower station.

EMERGENCY SHOWER AND EYEWASH STATIONS

A. Emergency shower and eyewash stations should be available in all laboratories or other areas where injurious or corrosive chemicals are used or stored.

B. Emergency shower and eyewash stations provide for an immediate drench of the eyes and/or skin. Therefore, they are normally located to be accessible within 10 seconds and placed not more than 100 feet from a hazard. Access to a shower or eyewash should be available without intervening partitions or obstructions.

C. If an exposure occurs, a person must flush his/her eyes and/or skin for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical assistance and then notify supervisory personnel of the incident.

EYEWASH BOTTLE STATION

A. This type of station is not intended to replace a plumbed or self-contained eyewash station, but to be used in conjunction with a plumbed station.

B. Bottles must be sealed and have an expiration date on the bottle.

FLUSHING/INSPECTIONS

A. Plumbed eyewash stations must be flushed monthly by designated personnel in the department that uses that area.

B. Each self-contained eyewash that is in use, must be flushed following the manufacturer's guidelines. When a preservative solution is used, the eyewash flushing must follow the solution manufacturer's specifications.

C. Each eyewash bottle station must be reviewed weekly to ensure that the station is being maintained following the manufacturer's specifications and that the containers are sealed and have not passed their expiration date.

D. Emergency showers must be flushed monthly and inspected as determined by EHS.

E. Each eyewash, shower, or bottle station that does not pass inspection or requires repair, must have adequate signage placed on the station. The signage must warn employees working in the area that the emergency flushing station is not in service.

REPAIRS

A. Each department is responsible for ensuring that equipment not passing inspection is repaired in a priority manner. When an emergency shower and/or eyewash station is non-functional, appropriate signage must be placed on the shower and/or eyewash warning employees working in the area that the equipment is out-of-service.

B. Maintenance personnel must notify the affected department whenever an emergency shower and/or eyewash station is rendered non-functional because of maintenance or repair activities.

C. Whenever an eyewash station is non-functional, a portable eyewash station or equivalent should be available.

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