24 February 2016

Proper Self Contained Eyewash Station

By Jessica Green


Quick and efficient response to emergencies is vital in the prevention of calamities. A self contained eyewash station is a device installed to wash off harmful chemicals or particles from the eyes in case these harmful substances enter the eye. This is done to prevent damage to the eyes and avert severe side effects such as blindness and other forms of incapacitation. This is also important in reducing the effect of the exposure to the eyes.

Accessibility at all times must be considered in setting up a station. In the event of an accident, it should be accessible by all employees or everyone around the work environment. It should be accessed without any trouble. They should also be centered mostly in areas with high potential of calamities in case of an accident so that many people can be served as much as possible. In should also be centrally located in that zoned area to ensure easy access during emergencies.

Objects that could hinder the immediate use of the station must be avoided when they are being installed. Such obstructions include fences that might limit human movement during accidents. Sign posts must also be set up nearby so that it can be easily identifiable. The sign posts must be in bold colors and in a language that can be easily understood. They should be in different languages to cater for those who do not have a grasp of language spoken in the locality.

The cost of installing and maintaining the system must also fall within budget. Expensive and complicated systems do not make an economic sense. Repairs are also done weekly to remove any cleaning agent that might be held up in the system and this could be expensive. It is therefore important to set up a cost effective system because it will not only save money but also improve efficiency during emergency situations.

Operation of the system should also be easy. The valve that activates the system should be switched on with a single motion and take the shortest time possible to start working. Simplifying the operation of this system is vital in preventing calamities and harmful effects to the eyes during accidents. The valve ought to be in a place that can be easily located.

Portability is also an important quality in an eyewash station. This means that it must be light and easy to transport to areas that might not be accessible such as hilly terrains. Heavy stations are not only cumbersome to operate and transport but also require huge maintenance costs. The more portable it is, the easier it is to transport it to area where for instance workers cannot move by themselves during emergencies.

A proper station should have cleaning agents that do not require mixing and measuring before they can be used. The cleaning agents must be mixed in anticipation of an emergency and this should be done in a clean environment to prevent infection since eyes are very prone to any kind of infection. The solution to be used ought to be sterile and devoid of bacteria.

The flow of the cleaning agent should also be consistent. The agent must fully remove all harmful substances from the eyes and leave all fragments of it. In adverse incidents, a consistent fifteen to twenty minute flow is required to completely wash off the chemicals.




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