Can eyewash packs replace permanently installed emergency eye showers?

Along with body showers, emergency eyewash stations are among the most essential safety devices in a laboratory. The risk of contamination of the water supply lines is a frequently discussed issue in this context. But are eyewash packs or bottles an alternative to permanently installed eyewash stations? The framework for the installation of eyewash stations is set by the Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances (TRGS) 526 and the requirements of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV 213-850). Accordingly, laboratories must have emergency eyewash stations supplied with drinking water that are immediately accessible from every workstation. Each eyewash station must discharge at least 6 liters of water per minute during use, and in an emergency, the eyes must be rinsed for approximately 10 minutes. Eyewash stations with sterile fluids in accordance with DIN EN 15145-4 are only permitted if no running drinking water is available. The requirements for eyewash packs are further specified in the guideline "Requirements for First Aid Rinsing Fluids" of the German Employers' Association for the Raw Materials and Chemical Industry (BG RCI). If, in the event of an emergency and an eyewash pack is used, a permanently installed emergency eyewash unit is not available within 5 to 10 seconds, additional eyewash packs must be immediately available, as the rinsing process must not be interrupted. On average, around 5 to 10 liters are required for sufficient rinsing. Accordingly, a sufficient number of eyewash packs must be kept on hand. These should be stored in a dust-protected and easily accessible location. Theoretically, eyewash packs can also be designed as refillable showers. However, it must be ensured that refilling is only possible by the manufacturer or authorized bodies (DIN EN 15154-4:2009-07). The use of eyewash packs is therefore subject to strict limits, and replacement in place of a permanently installed emergency eyewash unit is not permitted.

But what dangers do emergency eyewash stations actually pose? We'll address this question in the next AGCT Genetic Engineering report . dedicate to.