what is the requirement for an eyewash station in canada

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# Written Reports (cont.) ## Postes de secours (cont.) Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations PART XVI First Aid Communication of Information Sections 16.6-16.7 Règlement canadien sur la santé et la sécurité au travail PARTIE XVI Premiers soins Communication de l'information Articles 16.6-16.7 # Communication of Information 16.6 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the employer shall post and keep posted or make available to every employee in a conspicuous place in each workplace (a) a description of the first aid to be rendered for any injury, occupational disease or illness; (b) information regarding the location of first aid sta- tions, first aid rooms, health units and medical treat- ment facilities; (c) at every first aid station and first aid room, a list of first aid attendants, and information on how they may be located; (d) near the telephones, a list of telephone numbers kept up-to-date for use in emergencies; and (e) a description of the transport procedures for in- jured employees. (2) At a remote workplace or in a motor vehicle, the in- formation and lists referred to in subsection (1) shall be provided and retained with the first aid kit. SOR/96-525, S. 16; SOR/2000-328, S. 2; SOR/2014-142, S. 9(E); SOR/2021-122, S. 11. ## First Aid Supplies and Equipment - 16.7 (1) At every workplace with a number of employ- ees set out in column 1 of an item of Schedule I to this Part, the employer shall ensure that there is provided a first aid kit of the type set out in column 2 of that item. (2) A first aid kit of type A, B, C or D shall contain the first aid supplies and equipment set out in column 1 of an item of Schedule II to this Part in the quantity, if any, set out in column 2 of that item for that type. (3) A first aid kit of type A for use in a remote workplace shall, in addition to the contents required by subsection (2), contain the first aid supplies and equipment set out in column 1 of an item of Schedule III to this Part in …

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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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# Emergency Showers and Eyewash Stations (cont.) ## What does the law say? Consult your local occupational health and safety agency in your jurisdiction and check relevant legislation for any requirements to install this equipment. Currently, there is no Canadian standard for the design or placement of eyewash stations or emergency showers. As a result, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard Z358.1-2014 (R2020) "Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment" is generally used as a guide. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing the unit. Note: since there is no Canadian standard for emergency showers and eyewash stations, the U.S. ANSI Standard Z358.1-2014 (R2020) was used in preparing this document. ## What is considered to be a 'flushing fluid'? The ANSI standard defines "flushing fluid" as any potable (drinking) water, preserved water, preserved buffered saline solution or other medically acceptable solutions. Local laws may apply in some cases. This document will use the term "water" to mean any of these acceptable flushing fluids unless otherwise specified. How long should the contact area be rinsed or flushed? ANSI Z358.1-2014 (R2020) does not specify how long the affected body part should be rinsed. It does specify that the equipment installed according to the standard is capable of providing flushing liquid for a minimum of 15 minutes. The safety data sheet (SDS) for the hazardous product should provide guidance on flushing in Section 4: First Aid Measures. It is agreed that it is very important that water flushing start immediately following skin or eye contact with a chemical. Emergency Showers and Eyewash Stations CCOHS

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# Communication of Information (cont.) ## Fournitures et matériel de premiers soins (cont.) Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations PART XVI First Aid First Aid Supplies and Equipment Sections 16.7-16.10 Règlement canadien sur la santé et la sécurité au travail PARTIE XVI Premiers soins Fournitures et matériel de premiers soins Articles 16.7-16.10 - 16.8 (1) Subject to subsection (2), if a hazard for skin or eye injury from a hazardous substance exists in the work- place, the employer shall ensure that shower facilities to wash the skin and eye wash facilities to irrigate the eyes are provided for immediate use by employees. (2) If it is not feasible to comply with subsection (1), the employer shall provide portable equipment that may be used in place of the facilities referred to in that subsec- tion. (3) If, due to adverse or extreme weather conditions, it is not feasible for the employer to comply with either sub- section (1) or (2), the employer shall provide for all em- ployees likely to be exposed to hazardous substances in the work place personal protection equipment for all parts of their bodies that may be exposed. SOR/88-68, S. 14; SOR/88-632, S 72(F); SOR/94-263, ss. 60(F), 65(F); SOR/2000-328, S. 2; SOR/2002-208, S. 43(F); SOR/2019-246, S. 119. ## First Aid Rooms - 16.9 (1) If 200 or more employees are working at any time in a workplace, the employer shall ensure that a first aid room is provided and that it is clearly identified by a conspicuous sign. (2) A first aid room may be used for purposes other than first aid if (a) the minimum floor area required for first aid is maintained; (b) there is no potential for delay in the administra- tion of first aid; and (c) the use for those other purposes will not impede the treatment of an injured employee or pose a hazard to employees. (3) Subsection (1) does not apply if a health unit or med- ical treatment facility at which medical treatment is pro- vided without charge to employee…