Going the Distance: Requirements for Emergency Equipment -- Occupational Health & Safety

Episode 79

Going the Distance: Requirements for Emergency Equipment

In this episode, editor Sydny Shepard talks with former Cal/OSHA Associate Safety Engineer Paul Andersen about the standards, regulations and rules associated with emergency eyewash and showers.

By Sydny Shepard
Jun 23, 2021

Part of being a safety professional is understanding the hazards that are on your worksite and using the Hierarchy of Controls to either eliminate or prepare workers with knowledge and PPE to protect themselves against them. Even the most prepared worksites can still, unfortunately, see emergencies happen—especially when hazardous or corrosive materials are being handled.

In this situation, it is imperative to have an emergency shower or eyewash station to quickly and effectively wash off any chemical or hazardous material that may be irritating—or worse—to a worker.

These eyewash and shower stations come in handy in an emergency, but only if they are properly placed about a facility and are regularly inspected. I decided to bring an old friend of OH&S' Paul Andersen on the podcast to discuss this very important topic with me.

Paul Andersen is a Senior Safety Advisor at OSHA Compliance Services, LLC. He has more than 25 years of technical and strategic experience in safety and compliance management, holds several professional certifications, and is a Registered Environmental Assessor. Paul is a former Cal/OSHA Associate Safety Engineer, a subject matter expert with Title 8 CCR Standards, CFR 1910 and 1926 and Contractor Safety Management Programs.

So, what are the standards, regulations and rules around emergency eyewash and showers? You’ll find out by downloading or streaming this episode today at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and more.

A special thank you to Bradley Corporation.

For almost 100 years, Bradley has created the most complete and advanced commercial washrooms and comprehensive solutions that make industrial environments safe. Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Bradley is a USGBC & ISEA member and manufacturer of locker room products, plumbing fixtures, washroom accessories, partitions, emergency fixtures and tankless water heaters. https://www.bradleycorp.com/

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the former editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

Product Showcase

BAND V2

SlateSafety’s BAND V2 is the most rugged, easy-to-use connected safety wearable to help prevent heat stress. No additional hardware is needed to monitor large teams performing tough jobs across vast worksites. Worn on the upper arm, it measures biometric data and sends real-time safety alerts when customized thresholds are met. Features include worker physiological monitoring, automated work/rest cycles and more. 3
Green Gobbler Safety Shower Test Cart

Weekly activation of safety showers is now a quick and dry process. Funnel extends to shower head to test the water spray pattern. Clear tube to verify clarity. Thermometer to test temperature and graduated sight glass to test volume. Accessories available to test pedestal eyewash and fold down out of wall eyewash stations. Test 15 showers (2 gallons in 6 seconds), empty cart in 1-2 minutes, repeat as needed. 3
AA

A+A—The World’s No 1. Trade Fair with Congress for Safety, Security and Health at Work—is renowned for its wide range of products and international reach, reflecting the status of the industry with the latest technologies and trends. From October 24-27, 2023, A+A will showcase the entire range of products and services for personal and occupational safety at the fairground in Düsseldorf, Germany - from protective items for individual body parts to complex security systems, from occupational medical care to ergonomic workplace design. An international congress will complement the exhibits. 3