ADA and emergency eyewash stations
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard on Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment (Z358.1) does not distinguish access and configuration requirements between disabled and non-disabled employees. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that emergency showers and eyewash stations should be designed to meet both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ANSI requirements.
Often the pull ring for the shower is not within reach of someone using a wheelchair. A simple solution is to attach a string that can be easily reached. Accommodations don’t have to be expensive. When in doubt, ask the affected employee for suggestions.
Below are some of the requirements for emergency equipment for employees covered under the ADA regulation. Here are some tips:
- All emergency equipment must comply with ADA requirements.
- Emergency showers and eyewashes should be mounted for fold-up so they are completely out of the way when not in use. For example, swing-down, sink-mounted eyewashes should be placed at the back or side of the lab sink so that the sink can be used for other operations; however, the spray should automatically start when the head is swung down into position over the sink drain.
- Signage for emergency equipment must be highly visible, even when not in use, so that it can be easily located by the disabled person.
- Sinks and counters should be 34 inches above the floor. This allows the spray outlets of the eyewash to be about 39 inches above the floor. Newer models can even be attached to swing down below the 36-inch sink height, making them easier to reach.
- The activation handles for lowering the eyewash and turning on the shower should not require more than five pounds of force to operate, according to ADA rules.
- Safety showers that meet ADA requirements must have the pull rod at or below 48 inches. This would accommodate any employee using a wheelchair. The center-line of the showerhead must be 37 inches from the wall.
- When a shower/eyewash station is a combination unit, the eyewash must be about 14 inches from the wall to the center-line of the eyewash.
- ADA guidelines state that at least one out of five eyewash or shower stations in a specific lab area (e.g., Chemistry) must meet ADA requirements.
With all of the chemicals and blood and body fluids used in a lab it is important that the emergency response equipment used is appropriate for all employees.
For more information, see the ADA home page.
« Bill Maher’s take on flu vaccines | Home | CDC and OSHA require N95s to protect healthcare workers from H1N1 »
-
Categories
- Ask the Expert—Bloodborne Pathogens
- Ask the expert—General OSHA
- Ask the Expert—Hazard Communication
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Emergency Action Plans
- Featured
- First Aid
- General Safety and Health
- Hazardous Waste
- Infection Control
- Lab Safety
- Needlesticks & Sharps Injuries
- Notes from the field
- OSHA – Citations & Fines
- OSHA – General
- Pandemic Influenza
- Popular
- Uncategorized
- Waste Management
- Weekly Poll Questions
-
Archives
-
Feeds
Terry Jo Gile
Terry Jo Gile, MT(ASCP), MA Ed.,The Safety Lady® has more than 40 years experience as a certified medical technologist. As president of her own consulting firm, Safety Lady LLC, she is a world renowned speaker and consultant who helps organizations create safety savvy laboratories. Click the links to visit her Web site and her blog.
Terry Jo has written 49 posts.
Leave a Comment