Eye Wash Station

The eye is inarguably one of the most highly sensitive parts of the human body. And if you are exposed to a potentially hazardous chemical that can affect and cause possible damage to the eyesight, the first aid treatment would naturally include washing the affected eye with clean water. This is why eye wash stations are highly important devices in working environments that entails the frequent use of chemicals. Although most chemical work would usually require the use of safety goggles, we all know that accidents are bound to happen sooner or later, which is why an eye wash lab station is a critical precautionary measure that should be given importance to be able to properly address emergency situations.

According to top medical experts, the first fifteen seconds flowing the victim’s exposure to chemicals is considered very critical, which means if you have an huge facility, eye wash stations should be strategically placed no less than 25 feet or 10 seconds away from the work area, as directed by the OSHA standards. All eye wash stations should also be able to adequately provide 15 minutes of continuous use, most especially in areas where strong acid and caustic substance are commonly used. Every eye wash station should also be provided with a visible sign indicating its use and purpose so that people who are in an emergency situation can easily locate the nearest station.

The use of eye wash stations were first employed way back in 1928 and since then, many industrial chemical facilities can continued to provide such for their employees as part of their precautionary measures. However, it is not sufficient to simply supply eye wash station in every corner of a chemical lab facility, employees should be given proper training on how to use an eye was station in cases of emergencies. According to one survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 1,052 victims of industrial eye injuries revealed to have been contracted while employees were performing normal work activities, and 60% of the reported accidents were cause by the employees’ negligence to wear protective goggles. Furthermore, about three-fifths of the employees were not made aware of the possible dangers they face in handling chemicals. This alarming case prompted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to immediately issue its Hazard Communication Standard.

There are two basic types of chemical eye injury: acid and base – both are known to cause serious burn and small cuts to the eye and eyelids, causing redness and swelling. Such injuries can result to corneal changes and the eyelids can be swollen shut. Among the first aid measures to be taken in such cases include the decontamination of the eye using water or some other neutralizing agents. However, since chemical contamination poses imminent danger to the eye, precious time should not be wasted on looking for neutralizing agents and water is usually used since it is always readily available.

Aside from eye wash stations, safety shower equipment should also be provided, since one cannot anticipate that the eyes are the only areas that could possibly be contaminated with chemicals. Among the popular devices used today are the hand-held drench hose, emergency shower, and the combination units. Among the widely preferred unit is the overhead deluge shower that features a multi-spray decontamination unit. Highly toxic and radioactive materials would usually require total decontamination shower, which means eye wash stations would prove to be insufficient in such cases. Booth-type showers are used as supplemental precautionary equipment in cases of serious chemical contaminations.

If you are a responsible employee keen on providing a safe working environment for your workers, or a regular employee concerned about the hazards of your work, make sure that your facility is adequately equipped with equipment and devices that can properly provide first aid assistance in cases of injuries and work-related accidents.