Welcome to the world of emergency equipment – a complex, yet incredibly necessary component of almost every worksite.
Selecting the right Safety Shower or Eyewash is key, but can often become such a complicated process. Therefore here are a few tips and a cheat sheet to help you with this process of identifying the right equipment for the right location:
10 SECONDS TRAVEL TIME FROM A HAZARD
ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 requires that companies provide emergency showers and/or eyewashes within 10 seconds’ travel time of a hazard. Look for signage indicating hazardous material use and make sure eyewashes and showers are within the prescribed distance.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL STORAGE
The storage, transfer and use of flammable liquids require safety showers and/or eye washes as secondary protection. Look for containers used to handle or store these materials and make sure ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 compliant emergency equipment is within 10 seconds’ travel distance.
BATTERY CHARGING & MAINTENANCE
OSHA Directive Number STD 1-8.2. “This directive provides guidelines regarding eyewash and body flushing facilities required for immediate emergency use in electric storage battery charging and maintenance areas.” Make sure emergency equipment is properly located near these hazards.
HANDS-FREE OPERATION
ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 requires that safety shower valves be of simple operation, turn from off to on in one second or less, and provide hands-free operation once activated. Self-closing shower valves do not meet this standard and should be replaced.
HAND-HELD BOTTLES
Personal eyewash equipment, such as squeeze bottles, do not meet the requirements of plumbed or self-contained eyewash equipment. Make sure units meeting ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 are within 10 seconds travel time from hazard.
REPLACE INSUFFICIENT EQUIPMENT
Hand held drench hoses do not meet the criteria of a plumbed or self-contained eyewash. If these are the only means of protection, they should be replaced or supplemented with equipment meeting the requirements of ANSI/ISEA Z358.1. Click the following link to download a SURVEY FOR COMPLIANCE TO ANSI/ISEA Z358.1. Whilst this is to the American standard, this standard was the basis for the development of the Australian Standard AS 4775.
Our Speakman Emergency Safety Showers and Eye washes comply to both ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 and AS 4775. This information is taken from the Speakman Company Emergency Safety Shower and Eye wash catalogue 2016.
