Emergency Eyewash and
Shower Equipment
Guide
All guides are intended to give further details to information contained in a particular piece of legislation, policy,
code, agreement or procedure and must therefore be read in conjunction with them.
INTRODUCTION
To meet the requirements of the Workplace Health & Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 and
Regulations and the CDU Work Health & Safety (WHS) Policy. This Emergency eyewash and shower
equipment Guide has been written to provide information to workers and students working in workplaces or
involved in activities where there may be a potential need to use an emergency eyewash or shower. This
may be as a result of being splashed with a chemical/substance or being hit in the eye by a foreign object.
It is to be used in addition to, and not as a substitute for, general safety principles applicable to all types of
workshops, laboratories, research, teaching and operational activities.
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1.
Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................... 2
2.
Relevant Definitions ........................................................................................................................ 2
3.
Health and Safety Responsibilities .................................................................................................. 3
3.1 How to manage work health and safety risks ......................................................................... 3
3.2 Duty of Care ............................................................................................................................ 4
4.
General ............................................................................................................................................ 4
4.1 Types of Emergency eyewash and shower equipment .......................................................... 4
4.2 Requirements .......................................................................................................................... 4
4.3 Testing Procedure ................................................................................................................... 5
5.
Induction, information, training and supervision .............................................................................. 5
6.
First Aid ........................................................................................................................................... 5
7.
Signage and placarding ................................................................................................................... 6
8.
Essential Supporting Information .................................................................................................... 6
1.
Abbreviations
AS/NZS
CDU
EEASE
NUL
PCBU
PPE
SDS
WHS
2.
Australian/New Zealand Standard
Charles Darwin University
Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment
National Uniform Legislation
Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking
Personal Protective Equipment
Safety Data Sheet
Work Health and Safety
Relevant Definitions
In the context of this document:
Chemical is defined as any element, chemical compound or mixture of elements and/or compounds
where chemical(s) are distributed. Chemicals may be in solid, liquid, gas or plasma.
Combination unit: an interconnected assembly of emergency equipment supplied by a single
source of flushing fluid
Drench hose: a supplemental device consisting of a flexible hose connected to a flushing fluid
supply and used to provide fluid to irrigate and flush face and body areas
Emergency shower: a device specifically designed and intended to deliver flushing fluid in sufficient
volume to cause that fluid to cascade over the entire body
Eye/face wash: a device specifically designed and intended to deliver flushing fluid in sufficient
volume to irrigate and flush both the face and the eyes simultaneously
Eyewash: a device specifically designed and intended to deliver flushing fluid in sufficient volume to
irrigate and flush the eyes
Hazard: means a situation or thing that has the potential to harm a person. Hazards at work may
include: noisy machinery, a moving forklift, chemicals, electricity, working at heights, a repetitive job,
bullying and violence at the workplace.
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Hazardous chemicals are pure chemicals, or chemical mixtures that present an immediate or long
term risk of injury or illness. The risk can be associated with health hazards or physiochemical
hazards (e.g. flammable, corrosive, reactive, radioactive etc.). A hazardous substance can also be a
dangerous good and/or a drug, poison or controlled substance.
Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) means the University or other legal entity
operating a business or undertaking. A PCBU may be an individual person or an organisation
conducting a business or undertaking. It is not an individual, unless the person is conducting the
business in his or her own name as a sole trader or partner. Persons engaged solely as a worker or
officer of the business or undertaking are excluded from the definition of PCBU;
Plant relates to and includes any machinery, equipment, appliance, container, implement or tool,
including any component or anything fitted or connected to any of those items. Plant includes items as
diverse as hoists, cranes, computers, machinery, vehicles, power tools, etc. (as per Code of Practice
– Managing risks of plant in the workplace).
Plumbed – Emergency eyewash or shower is permanently connected to a fixed water source.
Risk is the possibility that death, injury or illness might occur when exposed to a hazard.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a document prepared by the vendor (manufacturer/importer/supplier) of a
chemical which describes uses, chemical and physical properties, health hazard information,
precautions for use, safe handling and emergency information. It is a legislative requirement for the
vendor to supply a copy of the SDS for each chemical to the end user.
Self-contained eyewash: an eyewash device that contains its own flushing fluid and needs to be
refilled or replaced after use
Self-contained shower: a shower that contains its own flushing fluid and needs to be refilled or
replaced after use.
Supervisor means the immediate day to day manager of an individual or group of workers, students
in classes and/or on field trips;
Worker means any person who carries out work in any capacity for the University, including but not
limited to, University’s staff members, contractors, subcontractors and their employees, apprentices or
trainees, students gaining work experience or conducting research, and volunteers;
Workplace means any area or place, including vehicle or vessel, where a worker goes or is expected to
be, while performing a business or undertaking for the University.
3.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
3.1
How to manage work health and safety risks
It is the responsibility of all workers to identify any hazards and ensure they are reported to
supervisors or management so that effective controls can be implemented. Employees are
encouraged to attend WHS Risk Management Training and to read the CDU Risk Management
Policy. http://www.cdu.edu.au/governance/policies/pol-036.pdf
This document will provide information relating to:
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Duty of Care
Duty to identify hazards
Managing risks to health and safety
Hierarchy of control measures
Maintenance of control measures
Review of control measures
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3.2
Duty of Care
Primary duty of care – Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure, so far
as reasonably practicable the health and safety of all persons engaged or influenced by the persons
activities, by eliminating or minimising the exposure to hazards and risks.
Workers and others – while at work, a worker must take reasonable care for their own health and
safety whilst also taking all reasonable measures to ensure that their acts or omissions do not
adversely affect the health and safety of other persons. The worker must comply and cooperate with
any reasonable policy or procedure relating to health or safety at the workplace.
Work Health and Safety Policy http://www.cdu.edu.au/governance/policies/pol-044.pdf
Risk management is about exercising responsibility to ensure workers and the public are properly
protected. The Risk Assessment Form allows you to identify the hazard, then identify and control the
associated risk.
Risk Assessment Form
4.
General
Determining the location and type of emergency eyewash and/or shower equipment to be provided is
to be based on a risk assessment of the specific activities, hazards and circumstances within the
immediate workplace.
Emergency eyewash and shower equipment shall be supplied, installed and maintained in
accordance with AS 4775:2007 – Emergency eyewash and shower equipment, manufacturer’s
instructions and where required, proper plumbing practices.
4.1
Types of Emergency eyewash and shower equipment
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4.2
Plumbed (fixed water source) and self-contained emergency showers
Plumbed and self-contained eyewash equipment
Plumbed and self-contained eye/face wash equipment
Combination units
Gravity Fed portable eyewash
Supplemental equipment – Personal wash units, drench hoses
Requirements
Emergency eyewash and shower equipment shall:
 Be located within 10 seconds walking time from the hazard location or immediately
adjacent to the hazard.
 Be on the same level as the hazard.
 Have an unobstructed path from the hazard.
 Be installed at a height within the range specified in AS 4775:2007 – Emergency
eyewash and shower equipment.
 Provide a controlled flow of flushing fluid at a velocity low enough to prevent injury to
the user. Meet the minimum flow rate as per AS 4775:2007 – Emergency eyewash
and shower equipment.
 Deliver fluid of a tepid temperature between the recommended range of 15.6°C to
37.8°C.
 Remain open without the use of the operator’s hands until intentionally closed.
 Maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and Australian Standards.
 Plumbed equipment shall be activated weekly for a period long enough to verify
correct operational functions are available. This weekly interval may be varied on the
basis of a documented risk assessment form.
 Be inspected annually for compliance with the standard.
Note: Where equipment is intended to be used by disabled persons, the equipment and workspace
should comply with AS 1428:2009 – Design for access and mobility.
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4.3
Testing Procedure
1. Where practicable, testing should be carried out by two people in the interest of safety.
2. Activate EEASE for approximately 30-45 seconds to ensure any stagnant water is
removed from the showerhead and the adjacent piping. If required and available, use a
purpose built test kit to catch and drain away the water during testing. If this equipment is
unavailable, use a bucket and/or tray.
3. Visually check EEASS for leaks or any other visible faults and report any problems to
Facility Management.
4. Ensure the eyewash or safety shower is properly turned off after testing.
5. Clean up any spills and/or place warning signs.
6. Portable units to be tested over a nearby sink or a bucket.
7. Record the test dates.
8. If the flow rate drops below the rate recommended in AS 4775:2007, contact
Facilities Management.
5.
Induction, information, training and supervision
Simply installing or supplying emergency eyewash and shower equipment is not a sufficient means of
assuring worker safety. They are not a substitute for primary protective equipment (devices, guards
and PPE).
Where an emergency eyewash or shower is installed or available, personnel are to be instructed in
the location and use of the emergency eyewash or shower. Written instructions and a “hands-on”
demonstration in the use of the emergency eyewash and shower shall be made available.
Information or instructions should be delivered in a way that is readily understandable by any person
to whom it is provided.
Induction, training and instruction should include:
 Safety and testing procedures
 emergency procedures and location of the emergency equipment
 correct and safe operating of the equipment
 risk management
 wearing and care of PPE
 good housekeeping
 other statutory requirements
 advising of designated First Aid Officers
6.
First Aid
All facilities are to have the appropriate first aid equipment and a First Aid Officer available and
accessible during the hours of operation.
Emergency eyewash and shower units are designed to deliver water to rinse contaminants from a
user’s eyes, face or body. As such, they are a form of first aid equipment to be used in the event of an
incident involving chemicals/substances or being hit in the eye with a foreign object.
The affected body part should be flushed for a minimum of 15 minutes using a large and clean supply
of flushing fluid under low pressure.
Medical help should be sought immediately after the administration of First Aid.
Further information can be obtained from:
First Aid Procedures http://www.cdu.edu.au/governance/procedures/pro-018.pdf
First Person on Scene (Accident /Incident) Procedure
http://www.cdu.edu.au/governance/procedures/pro-019.pdf
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7.
Signage and placarding
The location of each emergency eyewash and shower shall be identified with a highly visible sign
complying with AS 1319.1994 – Safety signs for the occupational environment positioned so the sign
is visible throughout the area served by the eyewash or shower.
8.
Essential Supporting Information
CDU Policies, Guides or Procedures
Work Health and Safety Policy
Emergency Management Plan
Risk Assessment Form
Risk Management Policy
First Aid Procedures http://www.cdu.edu.au/governance/procedures/pro-018.pdf
First Person on Scene (Accident /Incident) Procedure
http://www.cdu.edu.au/governance/procedures/pro-019.pdf
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guide
Safety Signage Guide
Workshop safety guide
Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Guide
Acts & Regulations
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations
Codes of Practice
How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
First Aid in the Workplace
Australian and New Zealand Standards
AS/NZS 1319:1994 – Safety signs for the occupational environment
AS/NZS 2243.1:2005 – Safety in laboratories – Planning and operational aspects
AS/NZS 2982:2010 – Laboratory design and construction
AS 4775:2007 - Emergency eyewash and shower equipment
AS/NZS 31000:2009 – Risk Management – Principals and guidelines
Document History and Version Control
Version
Date Approved
Approved by
Brief Description
1
03/10/2014
WHS Manager
Created document
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