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factsheets-FAQEWFSpecs

Emergency Washing Facilities:

Specifications, Responsibilities, & Training

FAQEWFSpecs

Emergency washing facilities (EWF), such as eyewashes and showers, are needed where employees may be exposed to corrosive, strong irritant, toxic, or skin-absorptive chemicals that could injure the eyes or body.

Specifications

EWF are designed to provide copious amounts of water to wash contaminants from the eyes and body and should meet the following specifications.

  • Installation meets manufacturer’s requirements including criteria for water pressure, flow rate, and system testing.
  • An on-off valve is capable of being activated in one second or less, remains open without the use of hands allowing personnel to use both hands to hold eyes open or remove clothing, and is capable of providing a water flow for at least 15 minutes.
  • Water is the appropriate temperature to ensure that user discomfort will not discourage proper use of the equipment.
  • Location is within the vicinity (no more than 50 feet) of the hazard, and it takes no more than 10 seconds to reach the EWF. EWFs using water not fit for drinking have signs stating the water is “NONPOTABLE WATER”.

Supervisor Responsibilities

Supervisors / principal investigators are responsible for ensuring the equipment is in good working order. They should:

  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding operation, inspection, and maintenance of the EWF;
  • Activate the eye washes and drench hoses weekly to check the proper function of the valves, hardware and availability of water. The eyewash/drench hoses should be activated until the water is clear and any debris is removed.
  • Inspect the eyewash/drench hoses annually, including examination of the plumbing and ensuring water is available at the appropriate temperature, quality, and quantity. The water stream should be adequate to flush the eyes, face or other parts of the body at a velocity low enough to be non-injurious to the user.
  • Facilities Operations conducts annual inspection of emergency showers.
  • If self-contained eyewash equipment or personal eyewash units are used, they must be inspected and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions and annually inspected to check for proper operation. Self-contained systems must never hold expired fluids. Sealed personal eyewashes must be replaced after the manufacturer’s expiration date. Most manufacturers recommend replacing fluid in open self-contained eyewashes every six months and sealed containers are typically two years.
  • Keep emergency washing facilities free of obstacles, allowing access in the event of an emergency. It is recommended that highly visible signs be installed at each EWF. The area should have good lighting.
  • Provide personal protective equipment (e.g., chemical goggles, lab coats, long sleeve shirts, etc.) when there is the potential of chemical exposure to the eyes or body. The presence of EWF does not replace the need for personal protective equipment. Contact lenses do not provide protection from chemical splashes but can be worn safely in combination with appropriate personal protective eyewear.
  • If electrical outlets are located within six feet of the EWF, ensure the outlets are equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI).
  • Train employees/students in the proper use of the EWF.

Training

In areas where an EWF is available, employees and students must be trained, including:

  • Instructions on the location, proper use, and application of the EWF.
  • Instructions on rinsing the eyes, holding the eyelids open and rolling the eyeballs so flushing fluid flows on all surfaces of the eye and under the eyelid. If there is a drench hose but not an eyewash station, provisions should be made to always have two or more persons in the workplace when using chemicals that could damage the eyes. One person can then assist the injured by holding and directing the drench hose while the injured party is free to hold the eyelid open. Drench hoses provide support for emergency washing facilities; however, they do not replace them.
  • Instructions on reporting accidents and seeking prompt medical attention after flushing the eyes regardless of the severity of the injury.
  • Documentation of the training.

Additional Information

For more information regarding EWFs (plumbed, self-contained, and personal) or PPE, see additional brochures titled “Emergency Washing Facilities-Determining Need & Location”, the Laboratory Safety Manual , Safety Policies and Procedures Manual, “Eyewashes and Safety Showers”, or Safety Policies and Procedures Manual, “General Requirements for Personal Protective Equipment.”

Getting Assistance

If the plumbed EWF does not meet the specifications, contact Facilities Operations. If you need assistance or have questions regarding EWF or PPE, contact EH&S.

Factsheets-FAQEWFLocation

Emergency Washing Facilities:

Determining Need & Location

FAQEWFLocation

Emergency Washing Facilities

(EWF), such as eyewash, showers, or both, are needed where employees may be exposed to corrosive, strong irritant, toxic, or skin-absorptive chemicals that could injure the eyes or body. These facilities are designed to provide copious amounts of water to wash contaminants from the eyes and body.

Determining Need

Assess the workplaces to identify chemicals that could injure the eyes or get onto the body during the course of work. Observe work practices, interview workers and review sources of information, such as safety data sheets (SDS), written standard operating procedures (SOPs), or similar documents that may help determine if personal protective equipment (PPE) and emergency washing facility are required.
Conduct assessments whenever new equipment, processes or chemicals are introduced or an injury or illness indicates the need.

Personal Protective Equipment

The availability of an EWF does not replace the need for PPE. Select PPE based on the types of hazards identified during the assessments, level of protection needed, fit and comfort.
Contact lenses do not provide protection from chemical splashes, but can be worn safely in combination with appropriate personal protective eyewear. For additional information, see EH&S fact sheet “Eye and Face Protection – The Eyes Have It” and Safety Policies and Procedures Manual, General Requirements for Personal Protective Equipment.

EWF Types

Emergency washing facilities are either plumbed, self-contained, or personal units. Plumbed units are preferred where a clean water source is readily available. Self-contained units are effective where a water source is not readily available. Personal units are supplementary.
There are several types of units available. Plumbed units include:

  • eyewashes (a device to irrigate and flush the eyes),
  • eye/face washes (a device to irrigate and flush both the face and the eyes),
  • safety showers (an assembly of a shower head controlled by a stay-open valve and operated by an approved control valve actuator),
  • hand-held drench hoses (a single-headed emergency washing device connected to flexible hoses used to irrigate and flush the face or other parts of the body). If your workplace is equipped with a drench hose and no eyewash, the drench hose can be used in case of emergency; however, an ANSI approved eyewash should be installed as soon as possible. Until installation, provisions should be made to always have two or more persons in the workplace when using chemicals that could damage the eyes. One person can then assist the injured by holding and directing the drench hose while the injured party is free to hold open the eyelids. Drench hoses provide support for emergency shower and eyewash units, but they do not replace them, and cannot be used as a sole means of protection. However, a drench hose is useful when the spill is small and does not require an emergency shower and can be used with a shower for local rinsing, particularly on the lower extremities.
  • combination units (a combination of eyewash/shower or drench hose designed so all components operate individually).

Several self-contained units are also available:

  • eyewash/safety showers in which the device contains its own flushing fluid and must be refilled or replaced after use. Self-contained systems must never hold expired fluids.
  • personal eyewash units with solution/ squeeze bottles (supplementary eyewash that supports plumbed units, s e lf – cont ained units, or both by delivering immediate flushing fluid for less than 15 minutes ) . They provide support for plumbed or self-contained eyewash units, but they do not replace them. They cannot be used as a sole means of protection. However, they are useful because they allow for quick flushing of the eyes when plumbed or self-contained units are not immediately available. Upon flushing, personnel should seek a plumbed or self-contained unit and thoroughly flush the eyes according to the SDS or available information.

If an EWF is used to flush the eyes, prompt medical attention is important, regardless of the severity of the injury.

Getting Assistance

If an EWF is available, but you are not familiar with the specifications, responsibilities, and training, see separate fact sheet “Emergency Washing Facilities-Specifications, Responsibilities, and Training“, the Laboratory Safety Manual, or Safety Policies and Procedures Manual, Eyewashes and Safety Showers.
If an EWF is required but one is not available, contact your supervisor, departmental safety committee, or Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). EH&S provides EWF assessments and will work with supervisors and safety committees to ensure installation of an ANSI approved EWF.
For additional information, contact EH&S at 5-3041.

focusareas

2016 Commitment to Laboratory Safety and Five Focus Areas

WSU is committed to the safety of our researchers, instructors and students and to the continuity of research and education. In a memorandum released on January 19, 2016 the Co-Provosts, Vice President for Research and Vice President for Finance and Administration requested the support and commitment to laboratory safety of the Deans, Associate Deans and those responsible for laboratories within each college.
Additionally, two other statements released by The Office of the President on February 10, 2016 reaffirmed the President’s and WSU’s commitment to strengthening University safety. The memorandum and president’s statements are provided under the Resources menu to the right.

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) and the Office of Research Assurances (ORA) reviewed laboratory incidents and cleanup responses in 2014 and 2015 (see graphs below). Five (5) safety focus areas (listed below) were identified that could contribute significantly to improving laboratory safety.

Research Lab Incident Frequency in 2014 and 2015

Research Lab Incident Frequency 2014-8/2015
Cleanup Response by Chemical/Incident 2014-8/2015

Five Laboratory Safety Focus Areas for 2016

The Co-Provosts and Vice Presidents requested that the Deans and Associate Deans distribute the laboratory safety commitment to those responsible for laboratories within their collages and ask them to post it in a prominent location within their laboratories by March 11, 2016. Posting this document demonstrates the laboratory’s commitment to successful implementation of the five focus areas by the year’s end, December 31, 2016.

  • Store chemical waste in appropriate, properly labeled containers.
    Store chemical waste in appropriate, properly labeled containers.
    Increasingly, chemical wastes that generate gasses have contributed to waste container explosions (e.g. Nital – Nitric Acid and Alcohol etchants). Please store wastes generating gasses in containers with vented lids. It may be necessary to leave the lid partially or fully removed until the material is no longer generating gas, with the container placed in secondary containment. EH&S will work with you to provide appropriate containers.
    All waste containers must be labeled with the full, written chemical name (no abbreviations), the percent waste chemical composition(s) and primary hazard (e.g. corrosive or flammable), and have the words “Dangerous Waste”. EH&S will provide free adhesive labels for your containers.
  • Evaluate procedures for handling glassware, needles, scalpels, microtomes, and other sharp objects.
    Cuts or punctures from broken glassware, needles, scalpels, microtomes and other sharp objects are the most common research laboratory injury. Please identify potential sharps hazards and provide cut and puncture resistant gloves or contact EH&S or ORA to identify additional options to prevent injury from sharps and broken glass.
  • Replace mercury containing devices.
    Mercury spills are the most frequent chemical release contaminating WSU research laboratories. Mercury spill cleanups interrupt research. Mercury spill cleanup and waste disposal is expensive. While some research may require the use of mercury, we encourage substituting other types of equipment and materials whenever possible. Please contact EH&S to exchange mercury thermometers for alcohol thermometers and to explore the replacement of mercury manometers.
  • Remove unnecessary equipment and containers from fume hoods to minimize negative impacts on air flow.
    Remove unnecessary equipment and containers from fume hoods to minimize negative impacts on air flow.
    Storing unnecessary equipment and containers in fume hoods affects the air flow, potentially resulting in employee exposure to hazardous air contaminants. Please limit the equipment and chemicals in fume hoods to those necessary to support work. Remove and appropriately store equipment or chemicals not actively involved in work. Please do not store materials in fume hoods within six (6) inches of the sash opening. Please close the sash when not actively manipulating materials within the hood.

  • Maintain access to emergency equipment (e.g. eyewashes, emergency showers, fire sprinklers, fire extinguishers).
    Please do not store materials where they prevent access or proper function of emergency equipment. Eighteen (18) inches clearance is required below fire sprinkers (minimum). Please contact EH&S for assistance evaluating the need for new/additional emergency wash facilities.

EH&S, ORA and Safety Committees

The Office of EH&S and ORA are available to provide training and technical assistance to departments, safety committeees, instructors and principal investigators. Safety committees can assist by providing recommendations for improvement in the focus areas, and distributing information, as WSU policy and State rules require that each department’s employees have access to a safety committee.

EH&S, ORA, and safety committee membership will evaluate improvement in the focus areas while performing regular work in research, teaching, and clinical laboratories.
Please visit the Laboratory Safety, Laboratory Safety Manual, Office of Research Assurances, Biosafety, and Radiation Safety websites for addtional laboratory safety information.

Please contact EH&S (335-3041), ORA (335-7183), Biosafety Office (335-7195), Radiation Safety Office (335-8916) or your safety committee for more information on the five focus areas and WSU’s safety commitment.

Resources: