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Eye-Wash Stations for Warehouses Accessibility and Use


warehouse safety Because forklift batteries require a fair amount of maintenance and monitoring, the lift truck battery room is one of the most integral areas of any warehouse. Forklift battery safety, as a result, is of utmost importance in these battery rooms -- and one safety feature all battery rooms should have is an eye-wash station that can rinse eyes that have been exposed to battery chemicals.
Not only does the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) require all forklift battery maintenance areas to be equipped with an eye-wash station -- it's also essential for battery room management to be sure these eye-wash stations are installed correctly to ensure all personnel can access them if an emergency occurs.

Could your warehouse's battery room safety be compromised by an improperly-installed eye-washing station? Here are four common mistakes that can be made when installing an eye-wash station that should be avoided at all costs:

Installing the eye-wash station behind a closed or locked door
If someone's eyes become exposed to the chemicals contained in a forklift battery, every second spent getting to an eye-wash station can significantly harm one's eyes. So while it may seem reasonable to put an eye-wash station in a closet behind a closed door, doing so just creates more hindrances for personnel who need to rinse their eyes immediately.

Failing to keep the area around the eye-wash station clear
All eye-wash stations should be unobstructed for optimal battery room safety. Never store anything underneath an eye-wash station or place anything in front of it. Doing so could hinder personnel, who are essentially blinded when the eyes are exposed to forklift battery chemicals, from being able to rinse their eyes quickly after the exposure.

Installing the eye-wash station at an angle
All eye-wash stations should be installed parallel to the floor. If installed at an angle, the water flow of the eye-wash station could be altered and thus not as effective as it should be. By keeping the eye-wash station parallel to the floor, an even flow of rinsing fluid can be administered to both eyes.

Failing to use proper eye-wash fluid
Always be sure to use pre-packaged eye-wash fluid that is mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Adding too much water to the mixture can make the fluid ineffective at rinsing the chemicals from one's eyes, and adding too little water can make the rinsing fluid too strong, which could cause even further injury.
How else can one ensure optimal battery room safety and warehouse organization? Share your advice with us in the comments below.