Department - Unit Safety
Coordinator’s Seminar
Oregon State University
Environmental Health and Safety
Department - Unit Safety Coordinator
(DUSC) Seminar - 11/19/08
Emergency Eyewash
& Shower Testing
Dan Kermoyan
Environmental Health & Safety
National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH)

2000 eye injuries per day. When personal
protective equipment (PPE) fails to prevent
contact with highly irritating or corrosive
chemicals, immediate removal of the
contaminant from eyes, face, and skin is
needed.
Accident Statistics
Oregon State University
(SAIF Corp. data)
Year
Total Eye Injuries
reported
Chemical Related
2008 – Present
2
1
2007 – 2008
8
1
2006 – 2007
7
4
2005 – 2006
13
2
2004 – 2005
9
0
2003 – 2004
6
0
2002 – 2003
8
1
2001 – 2002
14
2
2000 – 2001
9
1
Oregon – OSHA’s Top-25 Violations
Cited during inspections
Rank
Calendar year
Total Violations cited
15th
2000
110
17th
2001
129
22nd
2003
75
Requirements
(When Needed)


OR-OSHA regulation: OAR 437-002-0161 (5)
Required When …. Where employees handle
substances that could injure them by getting
into their eyes or onto their bodies, provide
them with an eyewash, or shower, or both
based on the hazard.
Requirements
(Where Needed)


Location -- employees can reach it and begin treatment
in 10 seconds or less; (55 feet).
“Unobstructed pathway and cannot require the opening
of doors or passage through obstacles unless other
employees are always present to help the exposed
employee”.


If not corrosive, crash-bar OK
Water must flow for at least 15 minutes.

Eyewash (0.4 gpm); Shower (20 gpm).
Requirements
(Construction/Testing)



Eyewash – Stay-open valves for
hands-free use. Shower -- Must
not be subject to unauthorized
shut-off.
Emergency shower and eyewash
facilities must be clean, sanitary
and operating correctly.
Follow the system manufacturer’s
criteria for water pressure, flow
rate and testing.
Testing Frequency
“manufacturer’s criteria”

OR-OSHA

Manufacturers

Manufacturers
American National
Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower
Equipment (ANSI Z358.1-2004)
weekly testing
Water Quality

Water should be potable





OSHA directive (Yes); ANSI/Manufacturer (No
mention)
Acanthamoeba?
Run for how long? (OSHA, ANSI, Manufacturer
do not state)
DOE study report 1986
Water Temperature?

OSHA directive 60-950F; ANSI 60 0F; Manufacturer
60-95 0F; Adverse chemical reaction??
Provide Unobstructed Access
Eyewash Test
Shower Test
Document The Test!
Test Units Available