Each day about 2,000 US workers sustain an eye injury that requires medical treatment, according to the Center for Disease Control. These injuries cost more than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation. The silver lining is that many of these injuries can be prevented with the proper personal protection equipment along with other methods of decontamination. However, the non-conformity for absent or not maintained eyewash stations was one of the more prevalent issues that came up during verifications.
Eye protection is often required in many work environments. This protection includes goggles, face shields, and more. While these do a great job in protecting the eyes from injury, decontamination is sometimes needed to prevent injury or furthering injury. This is where eye wash stations become so important. There are two types of eyewash stations, a plumbed station, this is where the eye wash unit is permanently connected to a continual source of water, and a gravity fed station, this is where the eye wash device contains its own flushing fluid that must be refilled or replaced. The placement of the eye wash should be within 10 second or 55 feet of where potential contamination could happen. It is recommended that a complete jobsite evaluation is done to identify high risk areas and that this is done yearly in case of any changes.
The water that is supplied through the emergency equipment should also be regulated. ANSI suggests that this be between 60˚F and 100˚F. Along with temperature, the water stored in portable eye wash stations should be changed at least every 120 days and treated with water preservatives to keep microbes at bay.
Once you have the eye wash installed it is important to maintain and test the equipment. OHSA’s regulation 29 CFR part 1910.151© requires “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 with the work area for immediate emergency use.” This regulation does not specify how often these units should be tested however, the agency’s letters of interpretation and inspection manuals make reference to ANSI/ISEA Z358.1. This regulation stats that plumbed units should be operated weekly to ensure proper function and flushing of the water line. The intent of this is to ensure that there is a flushing fluid supply at the head of the device and to flush the system of any contaminants such as bacteria or rust.
All workers should be properly trained on how to use the eye wash station and drills should be conducted to ensure the fastest decontamination of the eyes. Within this training, how to properly remove contact lens should be covered. This should help prepare your employees for potential injuries or accidents in which they would need to use the eye wash station.
The most important thing to do when someone gets chemicals into their eyes is to intensively clean them within seconds of the injury occurring, making eye wash stations an important piece of equipment in many workplaces. You and your employees want to use their eyes, not lose them!