An Overview of Emergency Showers and Eyewashes
PPE may be the first line of defense, but accidental exposures can still happen.
- By Jerry Schwarz
- May 01, 2022
Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety goggles and face shields are the first line of defense against many types of exposures, but accidental exposures can still happen. If a person in your facility could be exposed to materials that cause injury to the eyes or skin, then appropriate facilities for the flushing of the eyes and/or body shall be provided for immediate decontamination.
The 10 to 15 seconds after initial exposure to a hazard are the most critical, especially if the substance is caustic. Emergency showers and eye/face wash stations can provide quick access to decontamination of the exposed area. Emergency shower decontamination booths are designed for flushing the head and body, the pressure from the shower could damage eyes. Eyewash stations are designed specifically for the eyes and face. In many locations, a combination emergency shower and eye/face wash may be the best option.
Best Practices
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard Z358.1 serves as a guide for the correct design, installation, use and maintenance of emergency eyewash and shower equipment. This standard recommends that the effected body part must be flushed immediately and thoroughly for at least 15 minutes using a large supply of clean water. In cases where water can’t neutralize them, flushing fluid under low pressure can be used to dilute the contaminates. If the irritation persists, the flushing procedure should be repeated, and medical attention should be given as soon as possible. Take the SDS sheet with you so the medical staff know the chemical that the user was exposed to.
The severity of an eye injury is not always equal to the amount of pain. Some chemicals don’t cause severe symptoms but can still cause serious damage to the eye. Depending on the severity of the exposure, you may need to seek immediate medical assistance. The strength of the acid or bases and time of exposure are important factors in determining how severe the damage is. Contact with a strong acid or base for just a short time, or a weaker concentration for a longer time can both present a hazard. Contact with an acid is generally felt immediately, while contact with a base may have a delayed reaction but cause more severe injury.
Clothes that are in contact with hazardous materials may need to be removed from the injured person, to stop further absorption into the skin and to stop the spread of the chemical to those who are there to help the exposed person. Contaminated clothes should be placed in a bag to prevent further exposure. A privacy curtain and extra overalls and foot covers should be stored next to the emergency equipment in cases such as this.
This article originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.