What does it say?

The ANSI standard Z358.1-1998 is the industry accepted criteria for emergency eyewash and shower equipment. OSHA will cite non-compliance to this standard.

The standard defines the minimum requirement for treatment of a person exposed to injurious materials. For equipment to meet this standard, the following performance criteria must be met.

• Both eyes must be washed simultaneously at a velocity low enough not to be injurious to the user.
• Nozzles and flushing fluid shall be protected from airborne contaminates.
• Fluid flow should activate in one second or less and remain on without the use of hands.
• Unit should allow the eyelids to be held open with hands while the eyes are in the stream of fluid.
• Eyewash unit should deliver a minimum of 0.4 gallons per minute of fluid for 15 minutes.
• Drench hose should deliver a minimum of 3.0 gallons of fluid per minute for 15 minutes.
• Temperature of the eyewash solution should be tepid.
• Unit should be accessible within 10 seconds and located within 100 feet of the hazard.
• Eyewash units shall be identified by a highly visible sign.

In addition to the ANSI standard, the EWS:

• Can be moved without costly re-plumbing whenever production facilities are relocated.
• Can be used on construction sites where potable water is not available.
• Provides a consistent flow rate of solution due to the self-pressurized tank.
• Accepts antibacterial solution for extended life of wash solution and less maintenance.
• Is equipped with a method for draining used eyewash solution.
• Is painted OSHA recommended green with safety yellow accents for high visibility.