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<td><a href="https://misportal.jlab.org/ll/index.jsf?function=view&lessonId=860">Particulates from Deteriorating Foam Filter Found in Eyewash – Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Security, LLC</a></td>
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Statement of Lessons Learned</h2>
<pre>For a copy of the original report, see “Attachments” on Lessons Learned page.
A LLNL Safety Technician recently discovered a deteriorated foam filter in an eyewash station. Particulate matter from the filter was small enough to be sprayed into the eyes of a person using the eyewash. Eyewash parts and conditions need to be evaluated regularly and appropriate actions need to be taken to ensure eyewash effectiveness.
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Discussion of Activities</h2>
<pre>A Safety Technician at LLNL was recently checking a safety eyewash for possible causes of restricted and uneven water flow. He opened the cap on the spray head to reveal the black foam filter. This was the original filter installed by the manufacturer. It was found to be deteriorated and breaking apart. Instead of a large round foam insert, designed to capture any particulates in the water and possibly regulate the flow. The foam was found to be broken down into pieces, some of which were small enough to pass through the perforated spray head opening.
When the technician used a coffee filter to capture water from the eyewash, small bits of foam were observed in the water stream intended for flushing a worker’s eyes. These pieces were easily visible on the white filter paper but were not seen simply by observing the water stream of the eyewash.
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Analysis</h2>
<pre>After consulting with eyewash manufacturer, it was learned that this foam filter is no longer a required part of the eyewash system and is not being installed in any of their current eyewashes. These particular eyewash units are not marked with any unique identifying make or model numbers and were installed during building construction in 1995; however, they may exist in other locations around the Laboratory.
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Recommended Actions</h2>
<pre>Below are the consequences of the above event. They are provided for information and discussion purposes only.
All Haws eyewashes from this era may contain these foam filters. Check the Haws eyewashes in your area and see if they look similar to these photos (See Attachment). If this type of eyewash is identified, contact your facility manager or your assurance manager for any directorate level corrective actions.
Before opening the cap on the spray head to check for foam filters, use a white (e.g. coffee) filter to check the water stream for any traces of foam. If bits of foam are observed, have spare spray heads on hand before removing the cap portion as the spray heads may be prone to breakage. After the cap is removed, check inside the head for any foam particles. Per Haws, the foam filter can be removed (and not replaced) and the inside of the spray head cleaned before placing the unit back in service.
Replacement spray heads without the foam filter can be purchased from Haws or other safety eyewash manufacturers.
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">JLab Preventive Measures</h2>
<pre>Jefferson Lab has an active safety equipment inspection program wherein individuals, known as Safety Wardens, are trained to monitor, inspect, and test various pieces of safety equipment on a regular basis, particularly those items that are not owned by an individual. Eyewash stations are included in this program. These are tested weekly. Any deficiency is reported and repaired as part of the processes. </pre>
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<h2>Comments</h2>
<h5 style="white-space:nowrap">11/12/2014 1:57:14 PM by Bailey, Mary Jo</h5>
<pre>Approved</pre>
<h5 style="white-space:nowrap">11/12/2014 1:56:53 PM by Bailey, Mary Jo</h5>
<pre>Submitted to those with current training in:
•SAF129: R&D Chem Room Safety
•SAF137: Chem Room Safety
•SAF137KD: CHEMICAL SPILL CLEANUP PROCEDURE
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<legend>Summary</legend>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Lesson ID:</td>
<td class="dataval">860</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Status:</td>
<td class="dataval">OK</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Doc ID:</td>
<td class="dataval">2014-JLAB-860</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Priority:</td>
<td class="dataval">Best Practice</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Safety Related:</td>
<td class="dataval">YES</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Originator:</td>
<td class="dataval">Bailey, Mary Jo</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Issued:</td>
<td class="dataval">11/12/2014 1:55:30 PM</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Approved By:</td>
<td class="dataval">Bailey, Mary Jo</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Approved On:</td>
<td class="dataval">11/12/2014 1:57:14 PM</td>
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<td class="label">Source:</td>
<td class="dataval">
DOECRD
</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Location:</td>
<td class="dataval">LANL</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Cost Savings:</td>
<td class="dataval"></td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Contact:</td>
<td class="dataval">Jeffrey Horning, 925-424-5393, horning1@llnl.gov</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Queued Emails:</td>
<td class="dataval">0</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Sent Emails:</td>
<td class="dataval">0</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Viewings:</td>
<td class="dataval">1 times</td>
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<legend>Attachments</legend>
<a name="attachments"></a>
<ul class="lesson_attribute_listing">
<li><a target="_blank" href="https://misportal.jlab.org/ll/downloadAttachment?attachmentId=3481">M:\wcd\LessonsLearned\EyeWash\DOE - Yellow - Eyewash Particulates.pdf</a></li>
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<legend>Hazard Issues</legend>
<ul class="lesson_attribute_listing">
<li>Personal Protective Equipment</li>
<li>Eye Protection</li>
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<legend>Skills</legend>
<ul class="lesson_attribute_listing">
<li>SAF129: R&D Chem Room Safety</li>
<li>SAF137: Chem Room Safety</li>
<li>SAF137KD: CHEMICAL SPILL CLEANUP PROCEDURE </li>
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<legend>Distribution/Notification</legend>
<ul class="lesson_attribute_listing">
<li>*Division Safety Officers (DSOs)</li>
<li>*Safety Wardens</li>
<li>*DOE Notification</li>
<li>*ESH&Q Liaisons</li>
</ul>
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