Laboratory managers need to understand the implications of the ANSI regulations advises Paul Thorn, MD of Safety Eyewash.
If you work with corrosive, injurious chemicals in your workplace, then you’ve doubtless installed decontamination equipment such as safety showers and eyewash stations. The ANSI Z358.1 regulations govern how emergency decontamination equipment is manufactured - but they also go much further than that, covering installation, operation and staff training.
This means that you, the business owner or laboratory manager, have a duty to ensure that your equipment and safety protocols are compliant. Failure to do so could not only put your employees in jeopardy, but also lead to costly lawsuits, fines and reputational damage.
With that in mind, here’s a simple guide to the ANSI Z358.1 regulations and what they mean for your business.
What is ANSI?
ANSI – the American National Standards Institute – is a private, non-profit body created in 1918 when several prominent US engineering societies came together to oversee a unified, US-wide body of standards.
It administers industrial standards in the private sector, not only in the US, but also worldwide and “oversees the creation, promulgation and use of thousands of norms and guidelines that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector”.
Emergency decontamination equipment must be installed on the same floor as the hazardous area; the injured party should not have to travel up stairs to reach it
Paul Thorn, MD, Safety Eyewash
The Z358.1 regulations were created in 1981 to oversee the manufacture, installation and operation of drench showers and eye wash stations. Since then, they’ve gone through regular revisions, the latest of which at the time of writing occurred in 2014.
According to the regulations, drench showers and eye wash stations should be installed in any workplace where there is a likelihood that the eyes and skin of any person could be exposed to corrosive, injurious substances such as:
Location
While much of ANSI Z358.1 is concerned with the way emergency showers and eye wash stations are manufactured, one of the most important sections with regards to business owners and laboratory managers is that concerning installation.
According to the regulations, all emergency decontamination equipment must be installed on the same floor as the hazardous area; the injured party should not have to travel up stairs to reach it. The route to the decontamination equipment must be free from any obstruction, and the equipment itself should be no more than a 10-second walk away from the hazardous area. The area surrounding the equipment must be adequately lit.
According to the regulations, the water delivered to drench showers and eye wash stations should be tepid - this is considered to be between 16° and 38°C. The simplest and most reliable way of maintaining a safe water temperature is to install a thermostatic mixing valve.
According to the regulations, the water delivered to drench showers and eye wash stations should be tepid - this is considered to be between 16° and 38°C. The simplest and most reliable way of maintaining a safe water temperature is to install a thermostatic mixing valve.
Permanent, plumbed-in emergency fixtures should be “activated weekly for a period long enough to verify operation and ensure that flushing fluid is available”, while portable decontamination equipment should be “visually checked to determine if flushing fluid needs to be changed or supplemented”.
Training
Staff training is another important aspect of the ANSI regulations. All new members of staff should be trained on the whereabouts and operation of all safety equipment as soon as possible after they join your team. Training should be provided periodically to all staff, and whenever a new item of equipment is installed.
During training, staff should be walked along the route from the hazardous area to the decontamination equipment, then shown how the equipment is activated and used. When it comes to emergency eye wash stations, it can be useful to blindfold one member of staff and have them navigate to the unit, as this will mimic an emergency situation where the user’s eyesight has been compromised.
Paul Thorn is the managing director of Safety Eyewash/ www.safety-eyewash.co.uk
