Subject: /

Eyewash Stations & Emergency Showers – Inspection & Testing

/ Effective Date: /

07/01/2006

Revision Date: / 09/27/07

Purpose:

/ To provide guidelines and identify locations for Emergency Eye Wash Stations and Showers for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and/or body, where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious materials within the work area.
Definitions: / None.
Procedures: /
  1. Use of Emergency Eyewash
  2. Emergency eyewash stations are located in various areas throughout the campus. {See Attachment A}.
  3. In the event the eyes or face of a worker comes in contact with a chemical or substance, emergency eyewash stations should be used for the immediate removal of chemical or substance.
  4. The exposed worker should immediately proceed to the nearest emergency eyewash station and start flushing procedures.
  5. To flush exposed area, activate the emergency eyewash station by pressing the paddle (Item 1, Attachment C) forward. Paddle will stay in the “on” position until manually returned to the “off” position.
  6. Begin flushing eyes by holding the eyelids open and rolling the eyeballs so that the flushing fluid will flow on all surfaces and in the folds surrounding eyeball.
  7. Exposed area should be continuously flushed for a minimum of 15 minutes.
  8. If irritation persists, continue the flushing process. It is important to seek medical attention immediately.
  9. It may be necessary to assist exposed workers as they may experience difficulty in locating and using emergency eyewash stations.
  10. PPE should be worn at all times when the possibility of exposure exists.
  1. Departments with Eyewashes and Emergency Showers
  2. The site staff must be instructed by their supervisors on the locations and operation of the safety equipment.
  3. Departments must document the training provided.
  1. Maintenance
  2. The Hospital’s Maintenance department is responsible for:
  3. Testing and inspecting all safety showers weekly.
  4. Testing and inspecting all eyewash stations on a weekly basis.
  5. Making any necessary repairs.
  6. Maintaining records of the testing including results and repairs.
  7. Inspection
  8. Weekly inspection Procedures
  9. Emergency eyewash stations must be inspected weekly.
  10. Verify access to eyewash station is unobstructed
  11. Visually check piping for leaks.
  12. Assure eyepiece covers are in place. (Item 2, Attachment C)
  13. Activate control valve {item 1 attachment C} by pressing forward. Once control valve is activated, eyepiece covers should flip away from eyepiece. Valve should remain in on position until manually returned to off position
  14. Flow water for a minimum of 30 seconds.
  15. Verify water temperature is in tepid range {60-100 degrees F} via temperature gauge. (Item 3, Attachment C)
  16. Eyewash station should be free from visible defects.
  17. Verify signage identifying eyewash station is in place.
  18. Date and sign weekly inspection sheet. (Attachment B)
  19. Report any deficiencies to Maintenance Department immediately upon completion of weekly inspection.
In the event deficiencies may pose a further risk of harm to users, immediately cover eyewash station and tag as out of order.
References: / American National Standards Institute #Z358.1-2004
Appendices: / Attachment A – Eyewash Station Locations
Attachment B – Eyewash Station Weekly Inspection
Attachment C – Eyewash Station Image

Attachment B

______Hospital

Eyewash Station Weekly Inspection

Instructions:Place date and initials of inspector/tester beside the appropriate week, indicating that the emergency eyewash was inspected and tested; one form per eyewash unit.

WK # / Inspector’s Initials / Date / WK # / Inspector’s Initials / Date
1 / 27
2 / 28
3 / 29
4 / 30
5 / 31
6 / 32
7 / 33
8 / 34
9 / 35
10 / 36
11 / 37
12 / 38
13 / 39
14 / 40
15 / 41
16 / 42
17 / 43
18 / 44
19 / 45
20 / 46
21 / 47
22 / 48
23 / 49
24 / 50
25 / 51
26 / 52

Attachment C

/ ______Hospital
Environment of Care Manual & Emergency Procedures / Page 1 of 4
Eyewash Stations SAMPLE - Inspection & Testing edited.DOC