September is National Preparedness Month, an annual event to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and disasters. The 2024 theme is “Start a Conversation” related to emergency planning. During the month of September, we’re featuring blogs on several topics related to emergency preparedness to help get the conversation started at your organization. In last week’s blog we focused on the importance of a comprehensive and current Emergency Action Plan. This week we’re highlighting the vital role of properly functioning emergency equipment.
Safety Showers and Eyewash Stations
Safety showers and eyewash stations are critical pieces of safety equipment in the event of an emergency involving an eye and/or skin exposure to chemical, biological, and radiological hazards. Eyewash and safety showers must be inspected and tested regularly to ensure that they perform properly in the event of an incident.
The requirements for eyewashes and safety showers are based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recommendations, and state and local requirements. In its standard on Medical Services and First Aid, OSHA specifies that “Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.”
The ANSI Emergency Eyewash and Shower Standard (ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014) provides more specific guidance. Although ANSI recommendations are not mandatory, they are often referenced by OSHA in interpretation letters related to the OSHA Standard. In addition, companies could be cited by OSHA for not complying with the ANSI standard under the General Duty Clause.
The ANSI standard includes a requirement for weekly flushing of eyewash and shower units. However, unless required by local authorities, monthly flushing is typical. Regular activation of this equipment ensures that nothing is blocking the flow of the water and reduces the likelihood of contamination from stagnant water.
Additional information on eyewashes and safety showers can be found in our blog Emergency Ready: Eyewashes & Safety Showers.
Fire Extinguishers
It’s important to make sure that your fire extinguishers are ready for use should you need them! Requirements for fire extinguisher maintenance are outlined in OSHA’s standard on Portable Fire Extinguishers [29 CFR 1910.157]. They must be maintained in a fully charged and operable condition and always kept in their designated location unless they are in use.
Extinguishers must also be visually inspected monthly to ensure that they are in place and ready for use in the event of a fire; monthly checks should include confirmation that the extinguisher is properly mounted and fully charged, that nothing is blocking access to it, and the tamper seal is not broken.
They also must be hydrostatically tested at appropriate intervals, either every five or 12 years, depending on the type of extinguisher, or whenever they show new evidence of corrosion or mechanical injury. The frequency for hydrostatic testing is listed in 29 CFR 1910.157(f)(2), Table L-1.
Additional information can be found in our Are Your Fire Extinguishers Compliant? blog.
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
If you don’t have an AED at your facility, National Preparedness Month is a great time to consider getting one! AEDs are portable medical devices used to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. They can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation to help the heart establish a normal rhythm.
According to a report from OSHA, there are approximately 10,000 cardiac arrests in the workplace each year. According to the American Heart Association, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation with an AED can more than double a victim’s chance of survival.
Like other types of emergency equipment, AEDs must be properly maintained. They should be checked monthly to make sure they’re operating properly. Always consult the AED manual and the American Heart Association also has a checklist example. Items to be inspected include unobstructed access, pad (electrode) expiration date, battery and indicator light status, and confirmation that supplies are available and in good condition. Supplies needed will include two sets of AED pads, a CPR pocket mask with a one-way valve, non-latex gloves, absorbent gauze or hand towel, and a disposable razor.
We talk about other considerations for AEDs in our blog: American Heart Month 2024: Focus on the Importance of Workplace AEDs.
First Aid Kits
As required by OSHA’s Medical and First Aid Standard [29 CFR 1910.151(b)], employers are responsible for providing adequate first aid supplies in the workplace. Appendix A to this standard, which discusses the necessary supplies, is non-mandatory but should be complied with as best practice.
ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021is the current guidance on the minimum first aid supplies that should be stocked in workplace first aid kits. It establishes two classes of first aid kits. Class A kits are designed to handle the most common types of workplace injuries. Class B kits are intended for more complex or high-risk environments and contain a broader range of supplies. ANSI Z308.1-2021 establishes the minimum size or volume for each item listed, as well as the minimum quantity of supplies required for each class of first aid kit.
On a monthly basis, first aid kits should be checked to determine which supplies may need to be restocked. If these inspections are not conducted, supplies will be used as needed and the necessary item(s) may not be available in the event of a workplace injury.
It’s easy to gloss over checking expiration dates when conducting these inspections and only focus on verifying that the necessary supplies are in place. However, you want to avoid running into a situation where it appears that a supply is available, but someone discovers that it’s expired when they are in an emergency situation requiring the use of that supply. If the first aid kit vendor is conducting the monthly inspections, it’s a good idea to spot check the kits and supplies on a routine basis to make sure that the expiration dates are being monitored. Remember, it is ultimately the employer’s responsibility to ensure all emergency equipment is readily available for employee use, even when a contractor is doing the routine inspections.
When developing an emergency equipment inspection program for your facility, it’s recommended that equipment-specific checklists that include their location and assessment criteria be developed. This assists the individuals conducting the checks to know what to look for to provide a complete evaluation, as well as allowing for documentation that the inspections are occurring. These checklists can be reviewed internally on a regular basis to ensure all emergency equipment is included in the program, and can also be provided to an inspector upon request as proof of compliance with the regulations.
In our next blog recognizing National Preparedness month, we’ll be talking about the importance of making sure you have well-stocked and hazard-specific spill kits as part of your organization’s emergency planning. For additional information on National Preparedness Month, or for assistance with identifying, locating, and maintaining emergency equipment at your facility, please contact us.
This blog was written by Beth Graham, Director of Quality, Research, and Training
