https://w2.lara.state.mi.us/ADMS/File/ViewDmsDocument/13189
MIOSHA-STD-07-1R4
April 12, 2018
Eyewash/Shower Equipment page 4
XIII. Application of Standards
B. The terms suitable facilities, quick drench showers, acceptable facilities,
appropriate eyewash facilities, emergency shower and eye-wash station, eye wash
station, and facilities, as utilized in any of the specified standards/rules, shall be
defined as a plumbed or self-contained emergency shower and/or eyewash
equipment, or eye/face wash equipment, meeting the engineering design
specifications of the American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and
page 5
Shower Equipment (i.e., ANSI Z358.1 - 2014). This Instruction relies on ANSI
Z358.1 - 2014, to determine how quickly the control valve must be operated.
ANSI states that activation of the eyewash control valve shall occur in 1 second or
less and be simple to operate. MIOSHA has made a clarification that more than
one motion to activate the eyewash is permitted as long as the activation occurs in
one second or less. A second/separate motion to remove nozzle covers is not
allowed.
Note the "shall" for the actual equipment. And the new fact sheet covers the other issues and it now reads:
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/eyewash_292559_7.pdf Revised 06/21/18
What does "suitable facilities" mean?
The terms suitable facilities, appropriate eyewash facilities, and other such terms that appear in
various MIOSHA standards/rules, can be met by following the ANSI (American National Standard
Institute) standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment (Z358.1 - 2014).
The emergency eyewash/shower must be activated within 1 second and must not require a separate
action to remove covers. Many eyewash covers are pushed off/open by water pressure. Ensure
employees are properly trained in the operation and activation of the eyewash/shower and that activation occurs in 1 second or less.
and
Does MIOSHA require the supply of tempered water at plumbed eyewash and safety showers?
MIOSHA standards do not require any specific temperatures. However, implied in the term "suitable facility" is providing a water temperature that is not too cold or hot. ANSI Z358.1 - 2014 recommends that tepid water (temperatures between 60 =B0-to-100 =B0 F) be supplied. Temperatures below 60 =B0 F may cause the employee not to use the facility long enough (15-minutes). Temperatures above 100 =B0 F may be too hot and enhance chemical interactions with the eyes and skin.
and
Does MIOSHA require testing of such facilities?
MIOSHA standards do not specifically require
testing of plumbed emergency eyewashes or safety
showers. Follow the manufacturer's
recommendation for testing. ANSI Z358.1 - 2014
specifies that testing of such equipment be
performed on a weekly basis. Remember that these
facilities are provided for "emergency use." Testing
is necessary to ensure that facilities perform per the
manufacturer's specifications.
Looks like a done deal in Michigan to me. Lord, Nice to know some safety agency is still working in the country.
Monona Rossol, M.S., M.F.A., Industrial Hygienist
President: Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, Inc.
Safety Officer: Local USA829, IATSE
181 Thompson St., #23
New York, NY 10012 212-777-0062
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeffrey Lewin <jclewin**At_Symbol_Here**MTU.EDU>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Sent: Fri, Jul 6, 2018 5:01 pm
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Emergency Shower and Eyewash Temperatures
Note that the same ANSI standard that recommends tepid water also recommends weekly testing. Like OSHA, our state MIOSHA doesn't "require" following the ANSI standards, but makes it clear they expect it as seen in these excerpts from the "MIOSHA Fact Sheet, Eyewashes and Safety Showers":
NOTE when reading these that failure to provide a suitable facility can be deemed a violation.
What does "suitable facilities" mean?
The terms suitable facilities, appropriate eyewash facilities, and other such terms that appear in various MIOSHA standards/rules, can be met by following the ANSI (American National Standard Institute) standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment (Z358.1 - 2004). [Note, I've deleted two sentences because they are changing the definition of when they are required and distance from hazard; the new requirements now mirror the ANSI standard] The ANSI standard also provides eyewash/shower specifications, inspection requirements, and other important elements.
and
Does MIOSHA require the supply of tempered water at plumbed eyewash and safety showers?
MIOSHA standards do not require any specific temperatures. However, implied in the term "suitable facility" is providing a water temperature that is not too cold or hot. ANSI Z358.1 - 2004 recommends that tepid water (temperatures between 60 =B0-to-100 =B0 F) be supplied. Temperatures below 60 =B0 F may cause the employee not to use the facility long enough (15-minutes). Temperatures above 100 =B0 F may be too hot and enhance chemical interactions with the eyes and skin.
and
Does MIOSHA require testing of such facilities?
MIOSHA standards do not specifically require testing of plumbed emergency eyewashes or safety showers. However, ANSI Z358.1 - 2004 does require the testing of such equipment on a weekly basis. The pertinent point to remember is that such facilities are provided for "emergency use." Facilities that are not routinely tested may not perform per the manufacturer's specifications and deliver uncontaminated water. This can result in the employer failing to provide a "suitable facility" and more importantly leave employees unprotected.
Jeff
Mr. Towle,
Back to the original question: "Are there any regulations surrounding eyewash and emergency shower temperatures?"
The answer is No.
OSHA (the regulatory body in our case) has a regulation at 29 CFR 1910.151(c) which requires eyewash/showers to be available where employees can be exposed to chemicals hazardous to the skin or eyes. Nowhere in this rule is a temperature range specified for the water.
OSHA often refers to ANSI [Z]358.1-2004 which does specify a temp range of 85 to 100F, but this is guidance only - not enforceable.
Guidance is good though, because if your employee has to use an ice cold or scalding hot eyewash/shower, your insurance company will be much displeased and their lawyer will be dancing all the way to the bank.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
Ron Harvey
Echelon Environmental
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Emergency Shower and Eyewash Temperatures
From: Tyrell Towle <
tyrelltowle**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, July 06, 2018 11:23 am
To:
DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Thank you for your input, everyone! This is a lot of great information for me to use moving forward.
Upon further inspection of our setup, there is a single mixing valve beneath each handwashing sink that feeds both the sink and the emergency eyewash. Has anyone encountered this configuration before? To me, it seems that there should be a separate mixing valve for the handwashing sink and the eyewash since they have different temperature requirements.
Anyway, thank you, again!
-Tyrell
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--
Jeff Lewin
Chemical Safety Officer
Compliance, Integrity, and Safety
Environmental Health and Safety
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI 49931
O 906-487.3153
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