SAFETY SHOWER AND EYE WASH STATION

Safety Standard

Document no: SS/GEN- 13

Version: 2.0, Issue Date: 14th Dec 2017

Name Mom Mitra Agam Kumar

Head Safety (Continuous

Designation Assistant Manager, Safety

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Prepared by

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CONFIDENTIALITY
The information contained in this document is confidential to Tata Steel. Accordingly, copyright of
this document is retained with Tata Steel and no copying in any format of this document is permitted
without the written permission from the approver of this document.
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Change Authorization

Document Number SS/Gen - 13

Overall Process Owner Apex Safety Standard Sub-committee, Tata Steel.

Process Change Authorization Standard Owner - TSL

To be Reviewed By Standard Owner – TSL

Periodicity of Review of this Document Three years

Version Control History

Ver. Date Prepared by Authorized by Version Details

2.0 14.12. 2017 Mom Mitra Agam Kumar Revisions marked in Blue

1.0 1.1.2010 Dharmendra Kumar V N Gaikwad New Safety Standard

New additions:
1. Guidelines from ANSI 358.1 and BIS 10592
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Basic design and usage

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Work areas where safety shower shall be used including electrical HT and Extra HT substations
4. Marking

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Table of Contents

1.0 Purpose ………………………………………………………………………………… …………….4

2.0 Reference ………………………………………………………………………………………………4
3.0 Applicability ………………………………………………………………...………………………….4
4.0 Responsibility ......................................................................................................................................... 4
5.0 Definitions ……………….…...…………….…………………………………………………………..4
6.0 Procedures…………………………………………………………………………………………….4
6.1 General Requirements… ......................................................................................................................... 4
6.2 Basic Design & Usage ............................................................................................................................ 5
6.2.1 Emergency Shower…………………………………………………………………………………...6
6.2.2 Eyewash Stations……………………………………………………………………………………..7
6.2.3 Portable safety shower……………………………………………………………………………….8
6.2.4 Control Valves……………………………………………………………………………………….8
6.2.5 Installation guidelines…………………..……………………………………………………………9
7.0 Audit & review ....................................................................................................................................... 9
7.1 Testing .................................................................................................................................................... 9
7.1.1 Testing by users……………………………………………………………..………………………..9

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7.2 Marking & Nomenclature ..................................................................................................................... 10

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1.0 Purpose: This safety standard establishes the requirements and use of safety shower and eye wash
facilities for quick drenching of the eyes and body in response to exposure to injurious materials
or in case of any type of burn injury.
2.0 References: ANSI Z 358.1 (2014), BIS 10592 (2015)

3.0 Applicability: Tata Steel Ltd. India Operations

4.0 Responsibility: Line Management of Working departments and Contractors

5.0 Definitions
Combination Unit - A unit combining a shower and eyewash, or eye/face wash, and/or drench
hose into one common assembly.
Emergency Shower - A unit that enables users to have water cascading over their entire body.
Emergency Shower Head - A specially designed head for use on an emergency shower.
Eye/Body Wash - A safety shower and eye wash unit supplied by a single source of drinking
water.
Eyewash - A device used to irrigate and flush the eyes.
Flow Pressure- The gauge pressure measured at the pipe wall during flow.
Flow Regulator - A mechanical device to control the flow of water through pipes. It should be
inbuilt in the shower head.
FRP: stands for Fibre reinforced plastic (also called fibre-reinforced polymer, or fiber-reinforced
plastic) is a composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres.
Plumbed Eyewash - An eyewash unit permanently connected to a source of potable water, and
meeting the performance requirements of this standard.

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Processes or Process Area - Locations where chemical processes occur (includes semi-works,
pilot plants, and manufacturing operations).
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Safety Shower - An assembly consisting of a showerhead controlled by a stay-open valve that
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cascades water over the entire body of the user or is capable of flushing an affected area of the
body.
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Self-Contained Eyewash - eyewash that is not permanently installed and must be refilled or

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replaced after use, and meets the performance requirements of this standard.
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Self-Closing Valve - A valve which closes automatically when released.
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Stay-Open Valve - A valve which has to be manually closed.
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Tempered - Water with a temperature not to exceed 35°C, and should not be lower than 16°C.

6.0 Procedures:
6.1 General Requirements:
 Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive, toxic, or
flammable materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body
shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.
 These facilities should be located at maximum 15 metre travel distance but not less than 3m
in accessible locations from the point of potential exposure at same level.
 These facilities shall be located in such a way that they do not pose a problem by reaction
with water sensitive chemicals and shall be so arranged that there is no obstruction in going
from the work spot to their location.
 Because of the deluge action required, water pressure head for the emergency shower shall be
not less than 196 kPa ( 2 kgf/cms ) and the total water delivered from the shower or the spray
nozzles shall be not less than 250 to 300 litre/min.
 Every safety shower must have an adjacent eyewash unit; however, not every eyewash unit
requires an adjacent safety shower.
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 Potable(drinking) water should be used in all safety shower and eye wash facilities.
 Work areas and operations that may require these devices which include (not exhaustive):

 Battery charging areas (if wet type battery combination units are mandatory, for dry
cells portable eye wash will suffice)
 Laboratories
 Spraying operations
 High dust areas
 Dipping operations
 Hazardous substances dispensing areas
 All High and Extra High Voltage electrical sub stations.
 Any other similar operation/ work area where person may be exposed to injurious
corrosive, toxic, or flammable materials

 Water Temperature
 The water temperature at safety shower and eyewash facilities shall not be higher
than 35°C and should not be lower than 16°C. Where the water supply temperature
may be affected by sun exposure, adjacent hot piping, equipment, or extreme cold,
the site should provide appropriate controls (e.g., temperature monitoring, insulation,
automatic bleed devices) to maintain the desired temperature range. Water
temperature need not be constant throughout shower or eyewash use. However, the
system should supply at least a 10 to 15 minute supply in the 16-35°C-temperature
range for the number of shower/eyewash units that could conceivably be used
simultaneously. Where water systems do not provide the required 10 to 15 minute

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supply in the 16-35°C-temperature range, a tempered facility shall be readily
available elsewhere on the site. In circumstances, where chemical reaction is

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accelerated by water temperature, the physician should be consulted for the optimum

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Caution: Some chemical reactions may be enhanced by contact with warm water.
Bacterial Contamination: Water quality in plumbed eyewash/safety shower

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installations must be maintained to reduce the potential for bacterial contamination.
Lower water temperatures and routine system flushing reduce the biological load on

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the system.
FRP Cabin may be used as enclosure for the shower in dusty areas to prevent choking.
 Employees shall be trained and receive periodic refresher training in the proper use, testing
and inspection of safety showers and eyewash facilities.
 The overhead shower dome should preferably be provided with means to introduce even
peripheral dispersion of water in a cone to cover a large area while ensuring deluge action.
 The eyewash fountains and showers should be made of corrosion resistant materials. The
encased components shall be made from such materials that would not lead to internal
corrosion and choking of pipeline and fittings.
 The emergency Safety Shower with potable water connection is to be made available for all
High and Extra High Voltage electrical sub stations. All the users shall be educated that in
case of electric flash burns and when the affected person is conscious, then the burnt portion
should be cooled down with application of the water as soon as possible to reduce the impact
of the burn injury. Water may be required in case of electrical flash burns. Other type of burns
may be treated accordingly depending on condition of victim. In all cases victim has to be
removed safely first from all sources of electricity. Adequate drainage facility should be
provided so that no interface of water with electrical equipment is there in any case.

6.2 Basic design and usage:

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6.2.1 Emergency Shower

 The emergency safety shower should wash the entire body surface with large volumes of
water in the shortest possible time. This device essentia1ly differs from an ordinary domestic
shower in its capacity and manner of delivering water.
 The emergency showers may be actuated by a step-on foot valve which may be of the self-
closing type, or hand-operated self-closing or stay-open type which may be operated by a
chain or pull rod. Proper drainage system shall be made for quick disposal of used water.
 Emergency showers are designed to flush the user's head and body. They should not be used
to flush the user's eyes because the high rate or pressure of water flow could damage the eyes
in some instances. Eyewash stations are designed to flush the eye and face area only. There
are combination units available that contain both features: a shower and an eyewash.
 The emergency shower should deliver a pattern of water with a diameter of at least 50.8 cm
(20 inches) at 152.4 cm (60 inches). This diameter ensures that the water will come into
contact with the entire body - not just the top of the person's head. ANSI also recommends the
shower head be between 208.3 and 243.8 cm (82-96 inches) from the floor. The minimum
volume of spray should be 75.7 litres/minute (20 gallons/minute) for a minimum time of 15
minutes.
 The shower should also be designed so that it can be activated in less than 1 second, and it
remains operational without the operator's hand on the valve (or lever, handle, etc.). This
valve should not be more than 175.3 cm (69 inches) in height. If enclosures are used, ensure
that there is an unobstructed area of 86.4 cm (34 inches) in diameter.
 As with the shower, the unit should also be designed so that it can be activated in less than 1

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second, and it remains operational without the operator's hand on the valve (or lever, handle,

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etc.) with the valve being located in an easily located place.
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Plumbed and self contained shower equipment shall be constructed of materials that will
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corrode in presence of flushing fluid. Stored flushing fluid shall be protected against airborne
particles.
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Safety Shower Usage: Time is vital, get under the shower as quickly as possible. Promptly
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remove contaminated clothing while showering. Call for assistance, remain under the shower
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until all affected body areas have been thoroughly flushed; 15 minutes is the suggested
minimum; this varies with the type of material and exposure. After showering, do not put on
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contaminated clothing or footwear. Obtain medical attention.
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6.2.2 Eyewash Stations
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Eyewash stations should be designed to deliver fluid to both eyes simultaneously at a volume
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of not less than 1.5 litres/minute for 15 minutes. The combination eye and face wash stations
require 11.4 litres per minute. However, in either case, the volume should not be at a velocity
which may injure the eyes. The unit should be between 83.8 and 134.6 cm (33 to 53 inches)
from the floor, and a minimum of 15.3 cm (6 inches) from the wall or nearest obstruction.
Height of spray jet from nozzles should be 100 mm to 300 mm.
 With an eye wash station, the user should be able to open their eyelids with their hands and
still have their eyes in the liquid. In the case of the eye/face wash, the user should have
enough room to allow the eyelids to be held open with the hands while the eyes and face are
still in the stream.
 Since the nozzles to eyewash stations typically need to be protected from airborne
contaminants, the units are to be designed such that the removal of these covers should not
require a separate motion by the user when the unit is activated.
 Eyewash Usage: Time is vital, flush eye(s) as quickly as possible. Call for assistance. Eye(s)
must be held open for an effective flush. Flush eye(s) for as long as possible, 15 minutes is
the suggested minimum; this varies with the type of material and exposure. Obtain medical
attention
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It is recommended that a minimum 20-minute flushing period if the nature of the contaminant is not
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known. For example:
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known. The flushing or rinsing time can be modified if the identity and properties of the chemical are

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5-minutes for non-irritants or mild irritants,
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15-20 minutes for moderate to severe irritants and chemicals that cause acute toxicity if
absorbed through the skin,
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30 minutes for most corrosives, and
60 minutes for strong alkalis (e.g., sodium, potassium or calcium hydroxide).

In all cases, if irritation persists, repeat the flushing procedure. It is important to get medical attention
as soon as possible after first aid has been given. A physician familiar with procedures for treating
chemical contamination of the eyes and body should be consulted.

6.2.3 Portable Safety Showers and Eyewash Units

Although plumbed safety showers and eyewashes are preferable to portable units, properly equipped
and maintained portable units are acceptable in low hazard or temporary work locations. The unit
shall be connected to a potable water supply capable of delivering not less than 110 litre/min by the
method shown in the manufacturer’s instructions.
Any installation of portable safety showers and eyewash units must be approved by SHE personnel.
6.2.4 Control valves: The valve shall be designed in such a manner that the water flow remains on
without requiring the use of the operator’s hands. The valve shall be capable of remaining activated
until intentionally shut off. The valve shall be simple to operate and go from' off' to 'on' in 1 second or
less. The valve shall be corrosion resistant to potable water. The valve actuator shall be large enough
to be easily located and operated by the user.
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6.2.5 Installation Guidelines

 For new safety shower installations, eyewash facilities shall also be provided. These eye wash
units shall offer hands-free operation and be capable of flushing both eyes simultaneously. All
new installations must meet the performance inspection.
 The unit shall be connected to a potable water supply capable of delivering not less than 110
litre/min by the method as shown in manufacturer’s instructions.
 The area around the safety shower shall be well lighted.
 These facilities should be located at maximum 15 metre travel distance but not less than 3m
in accessible locations from the point of potential exposure at same level.
 These facilities shall be located in such a way that they do not pose a problem by reaction
with water sensitive chemicals and shall be so arranged that there is no obstruction in going
from the work spot to their location.

7.0 Audit & Review

7.1 Testing:
Testing is conducted to verify whether water is being delivered and to circulate the water through the
system. Testing shall be performed on a weekly basis or earlier (if there is a scheduled job involving
potential exposure to chemicals or chances of burn injury), dependent upon area of hazards.
 Frequency and Recordkeeping: A readily accessible means of test verification shall be
provided. The date of the inspection and the inspector’s initials on the inspection tag (See
appendix-1) or by other means approved by business unit SHE shall be recorded.
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This recordkeeping shall be readily available at the eye/body wash station or in the laboratory
that the station is located. All deficiencies noted during the testing of eye or body wash

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stations must be reported immediately to the local maintenance group.
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7.1.1 Testing and Inspections by Users
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Testing and inspections must be done by area personnel and records duly maintained.
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Safety Showers: Flush the system for a recommended minimum of 15 seconds and verify if

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delivered water is clean. Avoid wetting the floor by using a bucket, chute, etc. to catch the
water Verify proper operation. Ensure unit is not obstructed.
 Eyewash Stations :Flush the system for a recommended 15 seconds and verify if delivered
water is clean. Ensure nozzle protector(s) are in place and can be easily removed via the water
stream or valve operation .Verify valve remains open until manually closed. Ensure velocity
of water streams are not injurious to the user. Verify that both eyes would be flushed
simultaneously. Ensure unit is not obstructed and that no sharp items are in the immediate
vicinity.
 Open the valve on the eyewash unit. Verify that it opens in one second and stays open.
Appendix-1
Inspection Record Tag
Shower/ Eyewash ID
Location
Inspection date of shower
Inspection date of eyewash
Signature
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7.2 MARKING & NOMENCLATURE

 Each emergency showers, eye and face fountains and combination units shall be marked with
manufacturer's or recognized trade-mark.
 The emergency showers shall have a unique identification number (Dept/Section/Location/
EW/number) for eyewash and (Dept/Section/Location/SH/number) for safety shower and
based on which it can be mapped in the testing frequency schedule.

UMC of Emergency Safety Shower: 0122A0237

ARC 4700054204

UMC for FRP Cabin : 0122A0238

ARC 4700054887

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