I've run across this same discussion many times in my 32 year career. No one has been able to show me any Federal requirements for the drains - but certainly many requirements for the showers (depending upon the hazard assessment). In the past, we have agreed that water on the floor presented no unusual hazard (albeit a mess to clean up) so the shower was left intact and drain-less. In other cases we installed step-in shower stalls with a 4-6 inch raised front panel to help contain the water (obviously not overly effective if one uses the minimum 15 minutes under the shower rule). I've always believed that a wet floor was better than a burned body! Regards, Tom Marchetto Quality Assurance Russell-Stanley Plastics ----- Original Message ----- From: "Donald A. Wiebe"To: Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 11:56 AM Subject: [DCHAS-L] Safety Shower Requirement > I'm looking for input on safety regulations with regards to > laboratory showers. We have several showers located in the hallways > around our clinical laboratories at the University of Wisconsin > Hospital and Clinics. A State of Wisconsin survey team have sited us > for having these showers and not providing drains below the showers. > Their recommendation is to put in drains or remove the showers. The > UW hospital safety officer in formed me they plan to remove the > showers - unless I can find a regulation that would argue in favor of > these safety devices. Can anyone point me in the right direction? > Seems like we make strides in the right direction and then can > quickly retreat! > > Thanks for any input! > > Donald A. Wiebe, PhD > Madison, WI >
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