Eyewash station inspection requirements ansi

has protective covers on the nozzles (to prevent contamination) that are self-removing when flow is started.delivers a minimum of 15 minutes of copious flushing.provides hands-free operation (so the hands can be used to hold the eyes open).The station should be identified with a highly visible sign that contains an easy-to-recognize symbol that does not require workers to have English reading skills to understand it. That person must not be at risk of colliding with someoneвЂ™s desk or tripping over steps. Imagine a person blinded by burning chemicals, stumbling towards the station. The eyewash stations(s) must be located in areas that are easily accessible (no doors or other barriers to access) within ten seconds (roughly 55 feet). LetвЂ™s look at some of the key requirements specified in the ANSI standard. The ANSI standard is used as the authoritative, comprehensive and current guideline. This is because in Canada, we follow the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z358.1-2014 (вЂњEmergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment). Follow-up medical attention, of course, is essential.ДЄs yet, there is no specific provincial or Canadian standard for the design and placement of eye wash stations nor are there plans to develop a Canadian standard. Once the person is set up at the eye wash station, the SDS should be consulted to determine recommended flushing time. The first priority is to flush the eye immediately. Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) must be easily accessible, so that appropriate first aid can be quickly given. It is also important not to leave the victim unattended as they may need assistance in maintaining the bent-over pose while flushing the eyes. However, many chemicals require flushing times of 15 minutes or more (up to an hour for penetrating corrosives) to ensure further damage to the eye is minimized. Holding the eyes open while streams of water flood them is uncomfortable, even when the eye has not been injured, and even five minutes can seem like a long time. The biggest error people make when using eye washes is not flushing long enough. вЂњThe conjunctival mucosa of OHCWs should be protected from spatter and debris created during dental procedures by wearing appropriate eyewear or face shieldsвЂ¦ It is also recommended that an eye-wash station should be available in the dental office for both OHCWs and patients to aid in managing contact with any bodily fluid or dental chemical/solvent.вЂќ ThatвЂ™s why the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario advises: While you hope you will never need to use one, having an eyewash station installed could save a personвЂ™s vision. Eyewash stations provide on-the-spot decontamination. The first 10-15 seconds after exposure to a hazardous or corrosive substance are critical. Accidental chemical exposures can occur even with safety precautions and with the use of personal protective equipment. Substances such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, phosphoric acid, formocreosol, methyl methacrylate, varnish and more, are potentially hazardous to the eyes. While provincial safety regulations do not specifically mention dental offices, dental practices use a variety of chemicals and corrosive materials, putting both personnel and patients at risk of suffering eye injuries. вЂњWhere a worker is exposed to a potential hazard of injury to the eye due to contact with a biological or chemical substance, an eyewash fountain shall be provided.вЂќДЇurther, the вЂњGeneral Duty ClauseвЂќ for employers to exercise due diligence and вЂњtake every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a workerвЂќ applies anywhere that an occupational risk of eye injury could be said to exist.Дo dental offices fall into this category? ItвЂ™s clear that they do. For instance, OntarioвЂ™s Occupational Health and Safety Act, Industrial Regulation 851, states: The legal requirement for eye wash stations is found in most provincial and federal health and safety legislations. With requirements and guidelines coming from what seems like every direction, it becomes clear that every dental practice requires an eyewash station(s). These laws authorize the adoption of complementary safety standards and regulations to fulfill the mandate of improving worker safety. Provincial safety legislation is enacted to assure that workers are provided with safe and healthy workplaces.

Eyewash station inspection requirements ansi