Requirements for Eyewash and Safety Showers
OSHA and ANSI Requirements for Eyewash and Safety Showers
There can be certain hazards when working in a cannabis analytical lab, and occasional accidents do happen. Many of these hazards can be corrosive to the skin and are also toxic.
Even though laboratory workers and scientists may wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as googles, gloves, or lab coats, it may not be enough to protect against excessive spills. Thoroughly washing the skin, flushing out the eyes, or taking a safety shower may be required to prevent injuries or infection.
OSHA and ANSI have set the requirements for all chemical labs to have eyewash and safety shower stations set up in accessible spots in the lab.
Who & What Are OSHA and ANSI?
OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and is designed to work for the safety of every worker. ANSI is the American National Standards Institute. According to OSHA, any worker who may be exposed to a dangerous or corrosive material should also have access to a suitable emergency facility for washing the skin or flushing out the eyes. This can be a bit generalized, so ANSI is your next step in figuring out the specifics.
According to ANSI standard A358.1, they have defined what is an appropriate eyewash and safety shower station. When OSHA is inspecting a facility, they use these ANSI standards.
What Are the Proper Eyewash Requirements?
Your eyewash station is only for the eyes, so it should have a lower flow requirement. According to ANSI Z358.1, it should have a flow of 0.4 gpm at 30 psi. The nozzle needs to be six inches away from other objects. The device needs to be mounted from 33 to 45 inches from the ground. The station should have an eyewash gauge that tests the flow pattern.
What Are the Proper Safety Shower Requirements?
You’ll need to check your facility to see that your hardware follows the ANSI Z358.1. The shower head should be able to produce 29 gallons per minute (gpm) at 30 psi. The spray pattern should flow to a 20 inches diameter, and should come out at 60 inches above the spot where the user would stand. The center of the spray head should be 16 inches from any wall, door, or other object. The shower head should be installed at 82 to 96 inches from the floor, and the valve shouldn’t be higher than 69 inches.
Other Safety Requirements
Both your eyewash and your shower station need to be able to flow for at least fifteen minutes. This means that equipment must be attached to the building’s plumbing structure.
While self-contained eyewash or safety showers are allowed, there should be a more permanent fixture to move to after initial treatment.
If the environment is cold, the equipment must be protected against freezing. These devices also need to be made from corrosion-resistant materials.
To meet requirements, you must also regularly test the stations and flush them regularly.
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