Summary:
In FY2024, the Safety Office procured a vendor to conduct an inventory of all confined spaces on city property. During this project, 940 confined spaces were identified on city properties. This project was completed before the anticipated deadline and under budget by $70,712.
During the project, as site visits were conducted, the Safety Administrator identified several emergency eyewash stations that were either in need of repair or replacement. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for emergency eyewashes and showers, found at 29 CFR 1910.151(c), specify 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.”
While not having the force of a regulation under the OSH Act, the current American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard addressing emergency eyewash and shower equipment (ANSI [Z]358.1-2014) provides for eyewash and shower equipment in appropriate situations when employees are exposed to hazardous materials. ANSI’s definition of “hazardous material” includes caustics, as well as additional substances and compounds that have the capability of producing adverse effects on the health and safety of humans.
In both instances of OSHA and ANSI, employees at certain city locations (such as water treatment plant, water reclamation plants, lift stations, water wells, etc.) are potentially exposed to chlorine and chloramine, which are the major disinfectants used in public water systems, as approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Chlorine in its natural form is toxic and highly corrosive. The liquefied gas can chill or freeze the skin upon contact. In addition to the use of personal protective equipment such as safety goggles and protective clothing, emergency eyewash stations are required for employees exposed to these chemicals.