Keeping Emergency Eyewash Equipment Clean
If emergency eyewash stations are not maintained properly, sediment and microbial contamination can be an overlooked and menacing problem. Here are some guidelines to minimize contamination.
- By Ryan Pfund
- Nov 19, 2024
It is extremely important to proactively keep emergency eyewash and drench shower systems clean and fully functional in the event of an emergency. However, sometimes stagnant water can accumulate due to improper maintenance and testing, false activations, tampering and other misuse by workers, leaving equipment and water vulnerable to contamination.
Stagnant or untreated water is more likely to contain sediment or organisms that cause infection. When a worker uses an eyewash station that is improperly maintained, the quality of the potable water can become compromised and introduce additional risk to the user.
Emergency eyewash and shower contamination issues can be mitigated by improving equipment testing and maintenance, selecting equipment with safeguards against water contamination, and installing an eyewash alarm system. In particular:
Regular Flushing and Inspection
Weekly activation to allow flushing ensures that nothing is blocking the flow of the flushing fluid and eliminates any chance of contamination from stagnant water. It’s important that all heads of the device are activated, including the eyewash or eye/face wash head, as well as the showerhead.
It’s crucial to flush lines long enough to clear the line of sediment, debris and microbial build-up, verify operation, and ensure that flushing fluid is available. Self-contained units should also be visually inspected weekly and cleaned in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Gradually, mineral deposits, sediment or rust may accumulate in the system. Regularly check for sediment or scale build-up and clean the system as needed.
Inspection tags are often included with fixtures to document testing and to satisfy a safety audit. Many manufacturers offer specially designed devices to help assist in testing. It’s a good idea to document maintenance by keeping a log of when the equipment is flushed and inspected.
Flushing Fluid Quality
The ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 defines flushing fluid as “potable water, preserved water, preserved buffered saline solution or other medically acceptable solutions.” For plumbed emergency eyewash stations and showers, the source of flushing fluid is typically potable tap water from a municipal or on-site water supply.
Therefore, make sure the equipment is connected to a clean, potable supply. A filtration system may be necessary, and some eyewash products have a removable filter screen built in to help collect sediment or debris in the water before it gets to the eyes.
Water Temperature Controls
According to the current revision of ANSI/ISEA Z358.1, water supplied to eyewash and drench showers needs to be tepid. Tepid water is defined as 60-100° F or 16-38° C. This temperature will need to be present throughout the entire 15-minute drench.
To ensure properly heated tepid water, consider installing temperature control systems like thermostatic mixing valves or electric tankless water heaters to make sure that water stays at safe temperatures for the full 15 minutes.
Dust Covers
Another important requirement for eyewashes is using a hinged see-through plastic or stainless-steel bowl cover that completely shields the entire bowl from misuse and contamination. Dust covers prevent build-up of particulates, which could enter the eye and further exacerbate injury. The see-through plastic allows for quick and easy visual inspection and the hinging mechanism provides a more secure hold. As the cover is opened, the fixture is immediately activated; the cover is specifically designed to not interfere with the flow of water. Dust covers may also be installed on barrier-free fixtures.
Eyewash Designs for Increased Hygiene
A newer eye/face wash model utilizes a self-draining design that eliminates any settled water in the system between uses and testing. It also reduces debris in the water for additional eye protection and prevents clogging. In addition, this model incorporates separate supply and waste pipes to prevent cross-contamination from the clean inlet and wastewater.
Cleaning and Disinfection
The importance of cleaning and disinfecting work areas cannot be overstated. When cleaning equipment, it’s essential to clean the showerheads and eyewash nozzles with the appropriate disinfectant. Wipe down all exposed surface areas including basins, surfaces and surrounding areas to eliminate microbes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), pathogens can remain viable on surfaces for days. Therefore, routine cleaning of workspaces and high-touch surfaces such as handles, levers, switches, doorknobs, faucets and equipment should be disinfected with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectants approved for the type of surfaces. EPA provides a list of registered products “List N” for disinfection products along with contact time and targeted pathogens, including COVID-19. Employee training for using these powerful disinfectants is of utmost importance.
Emergency Signaling Systems
Sometimes stagnant water is left over from false activations, tampering and other misuse by workers, leaving equipment vulnerable to contamination. While hinged bowl covers can protect eyewashes from interfering with equipment, emergency signaling systems can alert facility staff when equipment is being activated and, therefore, deter unwanted tampering and potential contamination.
Emergency signaling systems also help to immediately alert and mobilize emergency response teams to injured personnel who are using emergency safety showers and eye and eye/face wash fixtures to improve response time and the best safety outcome.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of contamination in your eyewash stations, and help provide the most hygienic and safest workplace possible.
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.