When working on or around ammonia refrigeration systems we often focus on personal protective equipment, known as PPE, to help protect us from exposure to hazardous materials. However, we must be prepared for moments that did not go as planned. When incidents of exposure do occur, we will be relying on emergency eyewash and safety shower stations as the first method of treatment to reduce potential injury. OSHA has adopted several regulations that refer to the use of emergency eyewash and shower equipment. The primary regulation is contained in 29 CFR 1910.151, which states “where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use”.
However, this standard is considered to be vague in regard to the definition of “suitable facilities”. Therefore, ANSI/ISEA has established a standard for emergency eyewash and safety showers to provide additional guidance for employers. ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 is intended to serve as a guideline for the proper design, certification, performance, installation, use and maintenance of emergency eyewash and safety shower equipment. ANSI/IIAR provides a couple of requirements for such equipment but also refers to ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 for complete compliance. As our RAGAGEP, ANSI/IIAR states:
Each machinery room shall have access to a minimum of two eyewash / safety shower units.
Locations include one being located inside the machinery room and one being located outside of the machinery room, with each meeting the requirements of ANSI/ISEA Z358.1.
Path of travel to an eyewash / safety shower within the room shall not exceed 55 feet.
The 55 feet distance would equate to the ANSI/ISEA requirement for the equipment being within 10 seconds of walking time from the location of the hazard. Otherwise, additional eyewash / safety showers shall be installed and the path of travel to at least one eyewash / safety shower shall be unobstructed and shall not include intervening doors. With regards to location, ANSI/ISEA states that the equipment must also be installed on the same level as the hazard. The following information provided by Guardian will aid in the verification of compliance with the ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 standard.
WATER TEMPERATURE - The 2014 version of the ANSI/ISEA standard states that the water temperature delivered by emergency equipment should be ‘tepid.’ Tepid is defined to be between 60°F (16°C) and 100°F (38°C). However, in circumstances where a chemical reaction is accelerated by flushing fluid temperature, a facilities safety/health advisor should be consulted to determine the optimum water temperature for each application. The delivery of tepid water to emergency equipment may raise complicated engineering issues. At a minimum, it generally involves providing both hot and cold water to the unit and then installing a mixing valve to blend the water to the desired temperature.
SHUT OFF VALVES - Plumbed emergency equipment must be connected to a potable water supply line. It may be advisable to install a shut-off valve on the water line, upstream of the unit, to facilitate maintenance of the equipment. If a shut off valve is installed, provision must be made to prevent unauthorized closure of the shut off valve. Such provision can include removing the handle of the shut off valve or locking the valve in the open position. Only maintenance personnel should be authorized to place a handle on or unlock the valve.
CORROSION RESISTANCE - Once connected to a water supply line, water will enter the emergency equipment and stand in the unit up to the valve(s). When activated, water will flow through the entire unit. Therefore, the unit must be constructed of materials that will not corrode when exposed to water for extended periods of time. In addition to this general provision, the standard specifically requires that valves be resistant to corrosion. Emergency equipment should therefore be constructed of materials that will resist rusting and corrosion. Materials that are considered acceptable for this purpose include brass, galvanized steel and many types of plastics (ABS, nylon, etc.). However, these materials may not provide durable service when exposed to harsh industrial conditions, may deteriorate in direct sunlight or be subject to other limitations. Therefore, for maximum durability, the following materials should also be considered: epoxy coated galvanized steel, epoxy coated brass, stainless steel, and PVC.
FREEZE PRECAUTIONS - There are many applications where emergency equipment must be installed in areas that are subject to freezing conditions. In these cases, the emergency equipment must be protected against freezing. Equipment that is designed and manufactured to be freeze-resistant should be installed. There are a number of different types of freeze-resistant equipment, including units that have a temperature actuated bleed valve that permits water to flow through the unit when the temperature drops below freezing. These units are generally used only where the possibility of freezing is very infrequent, units on which the valve is mounted behind a wall or buried below the frost line and is remote-activated, combination units that are electrically heated (heat traced) and insulated, and units that have a heated enclosure to fully contain and protect both the equipment and the user.
DISPOSAL OFF WATER - The standard does not include any specific provisions regarding the disposal of waste water. However, designers must give consideration to where waste water will go. In particular, care must be taken that waste water does not create a hazard or freeze. Connections to drain piping or floor drains that are connected to a waste disposal system is recommended, as the waste water may contain hazardous materials that should not be introduced to sanitary sewer systems.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE - Simply installing emergency equipment is not sufficient to assure worker safety. Employees must be trained in the location of emergency equipment and in its proper use. Emergency equipment must be regularly maintained (including weekly activation of the equipment) to assure that it is in working order and inspected at least annually for compliance with the standard. Most importantly, employers should develop a response plan to be used in the event that an accident does occur. The focus of the response plan should be to provide assistance to the injured worker as quickly as possible.
OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE INFORMATION - Under the standard, the manufacturer of the emergency equipment must provide detailed instructions on the proper operation, inspection and maintenance of the emergency equipment. This information should be accessible to maintenance personnel.
EYEWASH / SHOWER PROVISIONS - Water supply is sufficient to provide at least 20 GPM for 15 minutes. Hands-free valve activates in one second or less and remains open until manually closed. Shower delivers 20 gallons (75.7 liters) of water per minute for 15 minutes in the required pattern. Height of water column is between 82” (208.3 cm) and 96” (243.8 cm) above the floor. Center of the water pattern is at least 16” (40.6 cm) from any obstruction. Easily located, accessible actuator is no more than 69” (173.3 cm) above floor. At 60” (152.4 cm) above the floor, the water pattern is at least 20” (50.8 cm) in diameter. If provided, shower enclosure has a minimum diameter of 34” (86.4 cm).
EYE / FACE WASH PROVISIONS - Controlled, low velocity flow completely rinses eyes and face and is not injurious to user. Water flow is sufficiently high to allow the user to hold eyes open while rinsing. Spray heads are protected from airborne contaminants and covers are removed by water flow. Unit delivers at least 3.0 gallons (11.4 liters) of water per minute for 15 minutes. Water flow pattern is positioned between 33” (83.8 cm) and 53” (134.6 cm) from the floor and at least 6” (15.3 cm) from the wall or nearest obstruction. Hands-free stay-open valve activates in one second or less. Valve actuator is easy to locate and readily accessible to the user. Unit washes both eyes simultaneously. Water flow covers area indicated on test gauge at no more than 8” above spray heads.
EYEWASH PROVISIONS - Controlled, low velocity flow rinses both eyes and is not injurious to user. Water flow is sufficiently high to allow the user to hold eyes open while rinsing. Spray heads are protected from airborne contaminants and covers are removed by water flow. Unit delivers at least 0.4 gallons (1.5 liters) of water per minute for 15 minutes. Water flow pattern is positioned between 33” (83.8 cm) and 53” (134.6 cm) from the floor and at least 6” (15.3 cm) from the wall or nearest obstruction. Hands-free stay-open valve activates in one second or less. Valve actuator is easy to locate and readily accessible to the user. Unit washes both eyes simultaneously. Water flow covers area indicated on test gauge at no more than 8” above spray heads.
EYEWASH / DRENCH HOSE PROVISIONS - Water flow is sufficiently high to allow user to hold eyes open while rinsing. Spray heads are protected from airborne contaminants and covers are removed by water flow. Controlled, low velocity flow rinses both eyes and is not injurious to user. Unit delivers at least 0.4 gallons (1.5 liters) of water per minute for 15 minutes. Hands-free stay-open valve activates in one second or less. Valve actuator is easy to locate and readily accessible to the user. Water flow pattern is positioned between 33” (83.8 cm) and 53” (134.6 cm) from the floor and at least 6” (15.3 cm) from the wall or nearest obstruction. Unit washes both eyes simultaneously. Water flow covers area indicated on test gauge at no more than 8” above spray heads.
DRENCH HOSE PROVISIONS - Drench hose unit supplements shower and eyewash units installed in vicinity. Controlled, low velocity flow is not injurious to the user. Valve goes from ‘off’ to ‘on’ in one second or less. Valve actuator is easy to locate and readily accessible to the user.
SAFETY STATION PROVISIONS - Water supply delivers required flow when shower and eye or eye/face wash are operated simultaneously. Hands-free stay-open valve activates in one second or less. Height of water column is between 82” (208.3 cm) and 96” (243.8 cm) above the floor. Shower delivers 20 gallons (75.7 liters) of water per minute for 15 minutes in the required pattern. Easily located, accessible actuator is no more than 69” (173.3 cm) above floor. Center of the water pattern is at least 16” (40.6 cm) from any obstruction. At 60” (152.4 cm) above the floor, the water pattern is at least 20” (50.8 cm) in diameter. Spray heads are protected from airborne contaminants and covers are removed by water flow. Unit delivers at least 3.0 GPM (11.4 liters) (for eye/facewash) or 0.4 GPM (1.5 liters) (for eyewash) for 15 minutes. Hands-free stay-open valve activates in one second or less. Valve actuator is easy to locate and readily accessible to the user. Water flow pattern is positioned between 33” (83.8 cm) and 53” (134.6 cm) from the floor and at least 6” (15.3 cm) from the wall or nearest obstruction.
References –
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151
ANSI/IIAR 9 – 2020
ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 – 2014
Guardian
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