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Bacteria in emergency shower/eye wash piping

Dave Elovitz
Dave Elovitz Member Posts: 7
in THE MAIN WALL
Has anyone else encountered a problem with bacteria growing in the piping top emergency shower and emergnecy eyewash supply piping in laboratories? We are told that the bacetria are attached to the pipe walls, but are encapsulated so that they are not affectddc by the usual disinfection and flushing methods. Has anyone else experienced this? Has anyone dealt with it successfully? How?

Comments

  • Larry (from OSHA)
    Larry (from OSHA) Member Posts: 727
    Dave

    Greetings,

    I'm not sure that I'm familiar with the encapsulated situation that you describe, but ANSI Z358.1-1998 “Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment" is used by OSHA as a reference document for enforcement guidelines. You may find it helpful.

    There is a requirement that plumbed eyewashes be flushed weekly to ensure proper operation. Eyewash flushing for at least three minutes has been suggested to reduce bacterial contamination by Acanthamoebae. Acanthamoebae can cause severe eye infections when introduced into traumatized eyes.

    A rather old OSHA memo details this issue with a little more detail. Follow the link below.

    http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19861223.html

    I hope this helps.

    Larry (from OSHA)
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