Combination Eyewash Shower Station: What It Is and How It Works
A combination eyewash shower station is a critical safety feature in industrial environments, designed to offer immediate decontamination relief to individuals exposed to hazardous substances. This integrated unit combines a high-volume emergency shower with a dedicated eyewash station, allowing for simultaneous or separate use depending on the severity of the exposure. Upon activation, the eyewash dispenses a gentle yet steady stream of water to flush out contaminants from the eyes, while the overhead shower provides a robust flow to cleanse the entire body, mitigating injury risks and facilitating rapid first aid response in emergencies.
Combination Station vs. Separate Emergency Showers and Eyewash Stations
Opting for a combination eyewash and shower station offers a space-saving solution, integrating two essential safety functions into one unit. This not only conserves valuable floor space but also enhances accessibility, ensuring that affected individuals can simultaneously receive comprehensive decontamination. Compared to separate installations, combination stations facilitate quicker response times during emergencies, reducing the potential for injury and improving overall workplace safety.
Features to Consider Before Choosing a Combination Eyewash and Shower Station
When selecting a combination eyewash and shower station, consider the unit's compliance with safety standards, materials’ resistance to hazardous substances, flow rate consistency, and adaptability to specific industrial needs, ensuring a reliable and effective emergency response solution.
Appropriate Model for Type of Hazards Present
The specific hazards in a workplace, such as exposure to chemicals, particulates, or biological agents, dictate the necessary features of an eyewash shower station. For example, environments with volatile chemicals may require stations made from materials resistant to corrosion and chemical damage, while areas with particulate hazards might need units with specially designed eye wash nozzles to ensure thorough cleansing.
Material and Construction
The durability and chemical resistance of an eyewash shower station are critical for ensuring long-term functionality and safety. Materials such as stainless steel or chemically resistant plastics are preferred for their ability to withstand harsh substances and environmental conditions. The construction should also prevent rust and corrosion, ensuring the station remains operational and safe to use even in aggressive environments.
Flow Rate and Water Pressure
Adequate flow rate and water pressure are essential for effective decontamination, providing enough fluid to thoroughly flush out contaminants from the eyes and body. ANSI standards typically require that eyewash stations deliver at least 0.4 gallons per minute for 15 minutes, and shower units should provide at least 20 gallons per minute, ensuring a consistent and adequate flow to remove hazardous substances effectively.
Availability of Tepid Water
Providing tepid water, typically between 60°F and 100°F, is crucial to prevent thermal shock or hypothermia during decontamination, especially when the affected individual is exposed for an extended period. Tepid water also encourages victims to complete the full recommended flushing time, as extremely cold or hot water can be uncomfortable or even harmful, potentially exacerbating injuries or discouraging thorough decontamination.
Ease of Use
For effective emergency response, an emergency shower eyewash station must be user-friendly. Features like simple activation mechanisms and adjustable components ensure quick and efficient operation, which is crucial for mitigating injury during critical moments.
Maintenance and Inspection
Regular maintenance and inspection of emergency eyewash and safety shower stations are imperative to ensure operational readiness. Choose a station that is easy to maintain when it comes to checking flow rates, cleanliness, and mechanical integrity to guarantee the reliability and effectiveness of the emergency response equipment.
4 Best Eyewash Shower Station in the Market
Global Industrial Combination Shower With Eyewash Station
Global Industrial, a trusted name in industrial equipment, offers this robust combination eyewash and shower station, designed for quick and effective emergency response in hazardous environments. The unit's floor-mounted design ensures stability and accessibility, with a push-handle activated eyewash and a pull-rod activated shower for immediate water flow. The durable construction and high visibility finish make it a reliable choice for safety-conscious settings.
- Scratch-resistant ABS plastic, Schedule 40 galvanized steel pipe
- 10'' shower head, 11.5'' bowl diameter
- Push-handle activated eyewash and pull rod activated shower
- Bright yellow color for visibility
- ANSI Compliant identification sign included
Bradley Combination Drench Shower with Halo Eyewash
Bradley, a leader in safety equipment, offers the S19314EW combination drench shower equipped with Halo eyewash and Spintec Showerhead for complete washdown coverage. Its galvanized steel pipe with yellow polyurethane paint aids in visibility and corrosion resistance. This unit is known for its reliability and high-level performance, exceeding minimum water flow to provide effective emergency response in industrial settings.
- Plastic shower head and bowl, Galvanized steel pipe
- 3.1” shower head, 13” eyewash bowl
- Ergonomic hand-activated eyewash paddle, pull rod activated shower
- Yellow polyurethane paint
- Includes universal identification sign and inspection tag
Guardian Equipment Shower Station with Eyewash
Guardian Equipment is renowned for its quality safety products, and this combination safety station exemplifies their commitment to workplace safety. The eyewash station features hand and foot control while the shower uses a pull rod for easy activation. With a stainless steel shower head and two GS-Plus spray-type outlet heads with flip-top dust cover on a stainless steel bowl, it ensures durability and effective operation in emergencies.
- Stainless steel construction, US-made valves with chrome plated brass ball and PTFE seals
- 10” shower head, 11.5” eyewash bowl
- Eyewash activated by flag handle or foot treadle, pull rod activated shower
- High visibility orange color
- With emergency shower/eyewash sign, inspection tag
Haws Combination Axion MSR Shower and Eye/Face Wash
Haws is synonymous with innovative and reliable emergency response solutions. The 8330 model features the unique Axion MSR eye/face wash system, ensuring a medically superior response by sweeping contaminants away from the nasal cavity, and the Axion MSR hydrodynamic shower design that makes water distribution equal. With a stainless steel construction for durability and minimal maintenance coupled with a high visibility stripe, this combination station is a worthy addition to your facility’s safety equipment.
- Type 304 Stainless Steel construction
- 10.5” shower head, 11'' eyewash bowl with dust cover
- Push plate eyewash activation, pull rod shower activation
- High visibility yellow and green stripe
- Includes universal emergency sign and test card
Types of Hazards and Facilities That Need Emergency Eyewash and Safety Shower Station
Emergency eyewash and safety shower stations are essential in facilities handling chemicals, corrosives, or hazardous materials, like laboratories, manufacturing plants, and construction sites. They are crucial in areas where the risk of exposure to toxic substances, flammable liquids, or corrosive chemicals is high. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and agrochemicals, where employees work with or around hazardous liquids and materials, necessitate these safety installations to provide immediate decontamination and mitigate the risks of serious injuries or chemical burns.
Understanding OSHA and ANSI Regulations
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) regulations mandate stringent guidelines for eyewash shower stations. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151(c) enforces workplace safety, requiring accessible emergency equipment for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body when exposed to injurious corrosive materials. It should follow ANSI Z358.1 standards that provide details for the design, installation, and performance. Compliance ensures that stations are optimally located, properly maintained, and capable of delivering the required water flow for effective decontamination, minimizing the severity of chemical exposures and injuries.
Eyewash Shower Station Requirements
- Accessibility: Stations must be easily accessible, within 10 seconds or 55 feet of hazard exposure areas, with a clear path free of obstructions.
- Identification: Stations should be clearly marked with visible signage to facilitate quick identification in an emergency.
- Water flow and pressure: Must meet ANSI minimum flow requirements of 0.4 gallons per minute for eyewashes and 20 gallons per minute for showers, with water pressure sufficient to sustain this flow.
- Water quality: Water used in the stations must be clean and safe for flushing eyes and skin, free from contaminants and at a tepid temperature (60°F to 100°F).
- Operation: Stations must have stay-open valves to ensure they remain activated without the user's hands, providing at least 15 minutes of continuous water flow.
- Maintenance: Regular inspection, testing, and maintenance must be conducted to ensure operational readiness and compliance with safety standards.
Training Employees for Emergency Response
Training employees on the proper use of the emergency eyewash and safety shower station is crucial for ensuring an effective response to chemical exposures. Workers should be familiar with the location and operation of the stations, including how to quickly activate the flow of water. Regular drills and training sessions help reinforce the importance of immediate action following exposure, improve response times, and ensure that all staff are prepared to handle emergencies safely and efficiently.
FAQs
How to use eyewash and shower station?
To use an eyewash and shower station, activate the eyewash station by pushing the handle or stepping on the foot pedal for the eyes, and pull the rod or lever to start the shower for body decontamination. Keep the eyes open and flush thoroughly for at least 15 minutes.
How much clearance is needed for an eyewash shower station?
An eyewash shower station requires a minimum clearance of 30 inches (76 cm) around it to ensure unobstructed access and usage.
What is the 10-second rule for eyewash?
The 10-second rule for eyewash refers to the guideline that an eyewash station should be reachable within 10 seconds or less, allowing quick access for immediate flushing in case of chemical exposure.
Why use eyewash and shower station?
Eyewash and shower stations are used to quickly flush away hazardous substances from the body and eyes, reducing the risk of serious injury or chemical burns in the event of an accident.
How often should the eyewash and shower stations be inspected?
Eyewash and shower stations should be inspected weekly to ensure they are functioning properly and meet the necessary safety standards.