Eyewash stations along with regularly scheduled service is critical to the safety of your employees. It is also critical for keeping your business compliant with the OSHA.
Depending on your workplace, specific environment and the hazards within your business it is likely you are required to maintain an eyewash station. OSHA typically refers to 29 CFR 1910.151(c) in determining whether or not your facility needs a station and ANSI Z358.1-2014 with regards to the eyewash station specifically. While these standards are a great place to start be sure your consulting your business's EHS team when building your eyewash program.
When was the last time you checked your eyewash station?
While having an eyewash station is the first step to being compliant it is just as important that your stations are regularly inspected and serviced, this helps to ensure they are ready to use in the event of an emergency. At Crane Safety we can provide you with the equipment to help you stay compliant but we also preform the regularly schedule service and maintenance required to help you stay protected.
"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"
Many workplaces, especially in industrial, have a variety of hazards like chemicals, battery stations and tools that can give off dirt and debris. According to OSHA, where these hazards, exist you need proper flushing equipment for the eyes and body. However, each business is unique and it is ultimately up to you to understand and determine where the hazards in your business are so you can stay prepared.
While there is not one answer to determining where you should place your eyewash stations, best practice is generally, 2-8 seconds, without obstruction, of the hazard in question. Below is a short list of where you most commonly see eyewash stations placed.
This is the standard referred to by OSHA for the proper type, specifications, maintenance, and inspection of the various types of stations in the marketplace. Whether you are going to buy the station and preform the service yourself or hire a third party it is extremely important that you are meeting all the requirements laid out in this standard.
You should always consult the written standard when determining what is the right for your business, however, below is an abbreviated list of some of the most common requirements outlined by ANSI to consider.