|  | Conditions Treatments | Burns

Emergency Shower Checklist

In 1970, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The purpose of the act was to protect employees from becoming injured on the job. The emergency shower regulation issued by OSHA is 29 CFR 1910.151. It requires that suitable facilities for quick drenching of the body or flushing of the eyes be provided within the work area for emergency use whenever a person can be exposed to injurious corrosive materials.

  1. ANSI Z358.1

    • OSHA never defined any standards for the emergency eye wash and shower, instead using a voluntary standard from the American National Standards Institute. This standard, called ANSI Z358.1 had originally been written in 1980 and has been revised twice. The latest standard came out in 1998. It covers installation, performance, maintenance and use of emergency eye wash and showers.

    The ANSI Standard and Checklist

    • The ANSI Standard requires:

      That the emergency eye wash and shower not be more than 10 seconds' walking time from a hazard.

      The equipment be on the same floor as the hazard (no stairs).

      There be a clear path between the hazard and the emergency equipment. The path be as direct as possible.

      In highly hazardous areas (a laboratory, for example) the emergency shower and eye wash be right next to the hazard.

      High-visibility signs be posted at or near the station in a well-lit area, and that the station itself be well-lit.

      Highly visible signs posted at or near the station and the area be well lit.

      Shower and eye wash controls be highly visible and easy to use. Starting the shower or eye wash be a one-handed operation. Once the valve is open it should stay that way until manually shut off. The station must run continuously for fifteen minutes with water at a temperature between 80 and 95 degrees F.

      Water nozzles have protection with dust covers that open automatically.

    OSHA Non-Compliance

    • Failure to follow OSHA regulations can result in steep fines. The ANSI standard for emergency showers is recognized as being in OSHA compliance. A company can use the ANSI standard as a checklist to make sure it is in full compliance.

      It also a good idea to make sure the emergency equipment is working properly by performing routine periodic checks. Keep a log of these in case OSHA asks to see them.

Burns - Related Articles