Emergency Eyewash Stations: A Must-Have in Your Manufacturing Plant’s Safety Arsenal

If you’re responsible for safety at your place of employment, you know it’s important to ensure that your location has appropriate emergency eyewash stations in place. These stations are essential to protect workers’ eyes from hazardous materials and chemicals.

Here are some key rules and regulations related to eyewash stations in manufacturing plants, as outlined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):

• ANSI Z358.1-2014 is the standard that outlines the requirements for emergency eyewash stations and showers. According to this standard, eyewash stations must be located in areas that are easily accessible and no more than 10 seconds away from the hazard.
• Eyewash stations must be able to provide a continuous flow of water for at least 15 minutes.
• The eyewash nozzles must be positioned so that they flush the eyes thoroughly and do not cause further injury.
• Eyewash stations must be tested regularly to ensure that they are in good working condition. OSHA recommends testing eyewash stations at least once a week.
• Workers must be trained on the proper use of eyewash stations and know the location of the nearest station.
• Eyewash stations must be clearly marked with signs that are visible from any direction.

In addition to these rules and regulations, here are some best practices to keep in mind when it comes to eyewash stations in manufacturing plants:

• Eyewash stations should be inspected by a qualified person to ensure that they meet ANSI and OSHA standards.
• It is important to keep the area around the eyewash station clear of any obstructions, such as boxes or equipment, to ensure that workers can access the station quickly and easily.
• It is also important to keep the area around the eyewash station well-lit so that workers can find it easily in an emergency.

Emergency eyewash stations are a critical safety feature in manufacturing plants, and it is essential to follow ANSI and OSHA regulations to ensure that they are effective in protecting workers’ eyes from hazardous materials and chemicals. The safety professionals at Martin Supply can help with all your eyewash station needs – from selecting the right eyewash station to training and inspections.

Contact us today at 800.828.8116 for a Martin Sales Rep near you.