What are the requirements for an eye wash station in a warehouse

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# Personal Wash Stations (cont.) ## Combination Units (cont.) To be effective, the equipment has to be accessible. ANSI recommends that a person be able to reach the equipment in 10 seconds. In practical terms, consider that the person who needs the equipment will be injured and may not have use of their vision. ANSI notes that the average person can walk 16 to 17 metres (55 feet) in 10 seconds, but this does not account for the physical and emotional state of the person in an emergency. As such, the "10-second" rule may be modified depending on the potential effect of the chemical. Where a highly corrosive chemical is used, an emergency shower and eyewash station may be required to be closer to the workstation. Refer to your risk assessment and check with a professional with knowledge in this area. These units should be installed in such a way that they do not become contaminated by corrosive chemicals used nearby. The location of each emergency shower or eyewash station should be identified with a highly visible sign. The sign should be in the form of a symbol that does not require workers to have language skills to understand it. The location should be well-lit. EMERGENCY SHOWER EYEWASH Other recommendations include that the emergency shower or eyewash station should: - be located as close to the hazard as possible, - not be separated by a partition from the hazardous work area, - be on an unobstructed path between the workstation and the hazard (workers should not have to pass through doorways or weave through machinery or other obstacles to reach them), - be located where workers can easily see them - preferably in a normal traffic pattern, - be on the same floor as the hazard (no stairs to travel between the workstation and the emergency equipment), - be located near an emergency exit where possible so that any responding emergency response personnel can reach the person easily, Emergency Showers and Eyewash Stations CCOHS

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# Emergency Showers and Eyewash Stations (cont.) ## Emergency Showers (cont.) Eyewash stations should be designed to deliver fluid to both eyes simultaneously at a volume flow rate of not less than 1.5 litres/minute (0.4 gallons/minute) for 15 minutes. The combination eye and face wash stations require 11.4 litres per minute (3.0 gallons per minute). However, in either case, the flow should not be at a velocity which may injure the eyes. The unit should be between 83.8 and 134.6 cm (33 to 53 inches) from the floor and a minimum of 15.3 cm (6 inches) from the wall or nearest obstruction. Pop-Off Cover PUSH Actuator With an eye wash station, the user should be able to open their eyelids with their hands and still have their eyes in the liquid. In the case of the eye/face wash, the user should have enough room to allow the eyelids to be held open with the hands while the eyes and face are still in the stream. As with the shower, the unit should also be designed so that it can be activated in less than 1 second, and it remains operational without the operator's hand on the valve (or lever, handle, etc.) with the valve being located in an easily located place. Since the nozzles to eyewash stations typically need to be protected from airborne contaminants, the units are to be designed such that the removal of these covers should not require a separate motion by the user when the unit is activated. ## Self-contained Eye/Face Washes Install and maintain according to the manufacturer's instructions. Similar requirements apply as with the plumbed units regarding the unit's ability to provide flushing liquid for at least 15 minutes, accessible access, and to deliver tepid flushing fluid. Inspect the units regularly to ensure the bladder is not expired. Once activated, the bladders must be replaced. Emergency Showers and Eyewash Stations CCOHS

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# 1910.124 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DIPPING AND COATING OPERATIONS 1910.124(a) What construction requirements apply to dip tanks? Any container that you use as a dip tank must be strong enough to withstand any expected load. - 1910.124(b) What ventilation requirements apply to vapor areas? - 1910.124(b)(1) The ventilation that you provide to a vapor area must keep the airborne concentration of any substance below 25% of its LFL. - 1910.124(b)(2) When a liquid in a dip tank creates an exposure hazard covered by a standard listed in subpart Z of this part, you must control worker exposure as required by that standard. - 1910.124(b)(3) You may use a tank cover or material that floats on the surface of the liquid in a dip tank to replace or supplement ventilation. The method or combination of methods you choose must maintain the airborne concentration of the hazardous material and the worker's exposure within the limits specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section. - 1910.124(b)(4) When you use mechanical ventilation, it must conform to the following standards that are incorporated by reference as specified in $1910.6: - 1910.124(b)(4)(i) ANSI Z9.2-1979, Fundamentals Governing the Design and Operation of Local Exhaust Systems; 1910.124(b)(4)(ii) FPA 34-1995, Standard for Dip Tanks Containing Flammable or Combustible Liquids; 1910.124(b)(4)(iii) ACGIH's "Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended Practice" (22nd ed., 1995); or 1910.124(b)(4)(iv) ANSI Z9.1-1971, Practices for Ventilation and Operation of Open-Surface Tanks, and NFPA 34-1966, Standard for Dip Tanks Containing Flammable or Combustible Liquids. 1910.124(b)(5) When you use mechanical ventilation, it must draw the flow of air into a hood or exhaust duct. 1910.124(b)(6) When you use mechanical ventilation, each dip tank must have an independent exhaust system unless the combination of substances being removed will not cause a: 1910.124(b)(6)(i) Fire; 1910.124(b)(6)(ii) Explosion; or …

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# Personal Wash Stations (cont.) ## Combination Units (cont.) - be located in an area where further contamination will not occur, - provide a drainage system for the excess water (remember that the water may be considered hazardous waste, and special regulations may apply), - not come into contact with any electrical equipment that may become a hazard when wet, and - be protected from freezing when installing emergency equipment outdoors. ## What temperature should the water be? The 2014 (R2020) ANSI standard recommends that the water should be "tepid" and defines this temperature as being between 16-38°C (60-100°F). Temperatures higher than 38°C (100°F) are harmful to the eyes and can enhance chemical interaction with the skin and eyes. Long flushing times with cold water (less than 16°C (60°F)) can cause hypothermia and may result in not rinsing or showering for the full recommended time (ANSI 2014). With thermal burns (injuries to the skin), the American Heart Association (2020) noted that thermal burns can be cooled with cool or cold potable water as soon as possible and for at least 10 minutes. (However, do not apply ice directly to the skin.) A temperature range for the water was not stated. Remember that any chemical splash should be rinsed for a minimum of 15 minutes, but rinsing time can be up to 60 minutes. The temperature of the water should be one that can be tolerated for the required length of time. Water that is too cold or too hot will inhibit workers from rinsing or showering as long as they should. Install anti-scalding devices (temperature control valve or thermostatic tempering valve), constant flow meters, and other devices that will help maintain a constant temperature and flow rate. For cold or outdoor locations, emergency showers with heated plumbing are available. In hot climates, outdoor emergency showers should also have a tempering valve so that workers are not exposed to water that is too hot. ## What are examples of areas tha…