Eye Wash Station Station Question – Federally Regulated Workplace

[Rob Popien]

#106207

Forum: Private

Greetings,

Looking for some any additional information regarding Eye Wash stations you can provide.

We recently got our water tested at one of our buildings and it was determined that it exceeds the limit lead in the water and deeming it not potable water(it was 16 ppm with 10ppm)

A question came up if we can still use our plumbed eye wash station. I don’t see any stipulations in the Canada Labour Code but there is a ANSI standard that states the water has to be potable.

Can you provide any information regarding this.

thanks,
Rob

[Haley O’Halloran]

#106244

In Canada, while there isn’t a specific national standard for eyewash stations, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) references ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 as a guideline. The CCOHS emphasizes the importance of using potable water in eyewash stations to prevent additional harm during decontamination.

Given that your building’s water has lead levels exceeding safe limits, using it in plumbed eyewash stations would not comply with these standards and could pose health risks. It’s advisable to either treat the water to ensure its potability or use alternative solutions, such as self-contained eyewash stations with sterile saline or preserved water, to meet safety requirements.

Read more about emergency eyewash station laws in your province and understand our full compliance game plan to ensure you and your employees are attended to in case of an incident that requires these measures. Hope this helps!

-OHSInsider Staff

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