How often do the eyewash and safety shower need to be tested to ensure proper function?

Why are eyewash stations and emergency showers important?

Accidental exposures can still occur even with good engineering controls and safety precautions. As a result, it is essential to look beyond the use of goggles, face shields, and procedures for using personal protective equipment. Emergency showers and eyewash stations are an essential backup to minimize the effects of accidental exposure to biological or chemical substances.

What are the legal requirements?

The University of Toronto is required to comply with sections 124 and 125 of Ontario Regulation 851 - Industrial Establishments (the Regulation), made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

According to section 124 of the Regulation:

Where a worker is exposed to a potential hazard of injury to the eye due to contact with a biological or chemical substance, an eyewash fountain shall be provided. 

According to section 125 of the Regulation:

Where a worker is exposed to a potential hazard of injury to the skin due to contact with a substance, a quick-acting deluge shower shall be provided.

When am I required to have an eyewash station or emergency shower? 

An eyewash station must be provided where a worker is exposed to any potential hazard or injury to the eye due to contact with a biological or chemical substance. If there is a potential for a worker to suffer a chemical splash to the skin, a safety shower must be provided in the laboratory for immediate and thorough drenching of the entire body.

At a minimum, a functional eyewash station should be present in almost every laboratory space, with very few exceptions.  Eyewash stations are also present in some Facilities areas. There may be rare instances where biological or chemical usage is so limited that an eyewash is not specified by a risk assessment. To this end, the Eyewash and Shower Needs Assessment Flowchart can be used as part of the risk assessment or in consultation with EHS.

Who is responsible for testing eyewash stations and safety showers?

For individual laboratory spaces, the Laboratory Supervisor (e.g. Principal Investigator or Lab Manager) is responsible for ensuring that eyewash stations within the space are tested regularly by laboratory personnel.  In shared lab spaces or Facilities areas, the Supervisors / Departments should agree on a testing schedule and the personnel to perform the testing.   

Safety showers across the campus (in addition to all eyewash stations) are inspected and certified annually by the Facilities Management Department (FMD).

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TEST SAFETY SHOWERS YOURSELF! 

(Only FMD has the proper equipment to do so.)

How often do I need to test eyewash stations?

Eyewash stations should be bump tested once a week to check for proper operation. It should be tested for the length of time it takes to flush the lines of stagnant water, which can range from 10 seconds to 3 minutes depending on the eyewash station. This will help prevent the growth of microorganisms and build-up of rust and mineral deposits in the lines.

Malfunctioning eyewash stations should be reported immediately to Facilities Management at 416-287-7579.

End users should record their weekly checks on an inspection tag or sheet that is posted by the eyewash station. Inspection tags (3.5" x 6", pictured below) are available from the EHS office upon request.

Can I use portable eyewash units instead of plumbed units?

Portable eyewash units, such as eyewash bottles or self-contained pressurized units, are only to be used in situations where no plumbed eyewash is available or as an interim measure until a plumbed eyewash unit can be installed. Portable eyewash units should not be used as the primary eyewash unless approved by EHS.

Where can I find more information?

The University of Toronto's Safety Eyewash and Shower Standard describes in more detail the design, accessibility, operational and testing requirements for eyewash stations and safety showers. This standard is based on the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment (ANSI Z358.1).

Introduction

When working with corrosives, drenching facilities must be readily available. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Medical and First Aid Standard 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.151(c) 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.

These drenching facilities could include an eyewash, eye/face wash, shower or combination eye/face wash shower depending on the amount of possible exposure. Because OSHA does not clarify what the minimum requirements for “suitable facilities” are, employers often look to the voluntary American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z358.1-2014 Standard for Emergency Eyewashes and Shower Equipment for guidance. ANSI Z358.1-2014 helps users select and install proper emergency equipment to meet OSHA requirements. Also, OSHA often uses ANSI Z358.1 as a guide during inspections and may elect to issue penalties based on non-compliance.

Emergency eyewashes and showers often go unused. It’s important to test these devices regularly to help ensure they will function properly in an emergency. Studies show that the seconds immediately following an eye injury or chemical splash are often critical to minimizing damage.

ANSI Z358.1-2014 Requirements

To ensure that eyewash stations and showers are always ready when needed, it is important that the requirements for test procedures and maintenance set forth in Z358.1-2014 be followed.

The requirements for testing and maintaining eye, eye/face washes and showers are based on the manufacturer’s instructions and ANSI protocols. Generally, the manufacturer’s instructions state that the devices should be inspected, tested and the results recorded weekly. Individual owners’ manuals should be looked at for the specific manufacturer's guidelines.

ANSI Z358.1-2014 is divided into five sections and each section addresses minimum performance and use requirements, as well as installation, testing procedures, maintenance and training requirements.

ANSI Z358.1-2014 Plumbed and Self-Contained Emergency Showers, Eyewash Equipment, Eye/Face Wash Equipment and Combination Units Performance and Maintenance Criteria:

• Must be designed, manufactured and installed in such a manner that, once activated, they can be used without requiring the use of the operator’s hands
• Valve must easily activate in a second or less, remain open on its own until it is intentionally turned off and be resistant to corrosion
• If shut off valves are installed in the supply line for maintenance purposes, provisions must be made to prevent unauthorized shut off
• If a potential for freezing exists, product specifically designed to avoid freezing should be used
• Plumbed units must be activated on a weekly basis long enough to ensure that flushing fluid is provided
  • Plumbed and self-contained showers must maintain a minimum flushing fluid of 20 gallons per minute (GPM) at 30 pounds per square inch (PSI) for a minimum of 15 minutes
  • Plumbed and Self-Contained Eyewash Equipment must maintain a minimum flushing fluid of 0.4 GPM at 30 psi for 15 minutes
  • Eye/Face wash equipment must maintain a minimum flushing fluid of 3 GPM at 30 PSI for 15 minutes
• Determine that flushing fluid is tepid (between 60 – 100°F) and in circumstances where chemical reactions are accelerated by flushing fluid temperature, a facilities safety/health advisor should be consulted for the optimum temperature for each application
• Determine that flushing fluid is dispersed throughout the required pattern
• Showers, eyewashes, eye/face washes, and drench hoses all can be utilized in combination units and the requirements of each of these types of product categories must be met when utilized with other categories of emergency equipment
• Self-contained units must be visually checked weekly to determine if the flushing fluid needs to be changed or supplemented in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Supplemental Equipment

• Supplemental equipment is intended for immediate use and must be followed up by the usage of emergency product that can provide a minimum of 15 minutes of flushing fluid continuously
• Personal eyewash units and drench hoses are considered supplemental equipment

Annual Inspections

Each year emergency products must be inspected to ensure they comply with the ANSI standard. While a fixture may be certified to meet the ANSI standard before it is installed, once installed, it is important to make sure it is installed according to the standard's requirements. You can also use a weekly checklist (below) to help ensure the proper operation of a unit in an emergency.

Weekly Checklist

• Initial and date in the corresponding box verifying that the emergency eyewash / shower is checked weekly to ensure:
  • Equipment installed within 10 seconds from the hazard and on the same plane as the hazard
  • Pathway is clear of obstructions
  • Plumbed equipment activated to ensure compliant operation and to clear any sediment
  • Self-contained equipment checked to determine if the flushing fluid needs to be changed or supplemented
  • Equipment free of broken or missing parts
  • Equipment protected against freezing
  • User protected from scalding water

Summary

Always inspect and test emergency eyewashes and showers if you have any doubt about their dependability. Identify problems or concerns and establish a regular maintenance program. Consult the manufacturers’ operating manual and ANSI Z358.1-2014 for assistance with test procedures, maintenance operations and training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who should be trained on the proper use of emergency eyewashes and showers?

A: ANSI Z358.1-2014 states that employees who may be exposed to hazardous materials must be trained on the use of eyewash and shower devices. Specific areas that should be addressed include the location of the units, how to properly activate the systems and how to correctly maintain the devices.

Q: Are there any recommended procedures on how to effectively flush eyes that have been contaminated?

A: Individuals should be instructed to hold the eyelids open and roll the eyeballs so fluid will flow on all surfaces of the eye and under the eyelid.

Q: Are there any alternatives to the frequent changing of gravity-fed eyewash solutions?

A: Yes. Factory-sealed cartridges containing eyewash solutions are available. These products have shelf lives well in excess of preservative solutions and are significantly easier to maintain.

Sources

29 CFR 1910.151(c)

ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014

American National Standards Institute
11 W. 42nd Street 
New York, NY 10036 
212.642.4900 
www.ansi.org

The information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only and is based on information available as of the initial date of publication. No representation is made that the information or references are complete or remain current. This article is not a substitute for review of current applicable government regulations, industry standards, or other standards specific to your business and/or activities and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the applicable standards or consult with an attorney.

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