Shop Eye Wash Station

[HAP]

Anyone else have an eye wash staion in their shop? Some of those spectacular bathrooms could be even better with one I got mine from ZORO Tools for $57.00. Their price is alomost half of what others sell this one for. Your spouse will even give you extra credit for thinking "safety". Threre are lots of styles and models out there to choose from, I just like the looks of this one.
R,
HAP

 

[thightower]

Not a bad idea. Got myself in the eyes with B12 several years ago, could of used one then.

 

[Stephenw]

An eye wash cup is great for rinsing out dirt or sawdust.

 

[OldTC]

Very nice!!

Story;

When I was 18 or 19 I worked for Sears Automotive busting tires and batteries. One morning I went into the battery room and saw this newly installed water fountain looking thing.
I hollered like a smart-***;
"What the hell is this stupid thing?"
Someone told me what it was and I said;
"Well that's dumb..." And went on my way.

It wasn't two days later while removing a customers Die Hard from the battery charger, (a steel rack stacked with dozens of batteries with no caps on charging and smoking away), that I brushed the positive clamp across a negative clamp and; BLAM!! The damned thing exploded with such a force people came running from inside the main store across the parking lot.

Before the last piece of plastic battery case hit the floor I was blindly searching for that "Stupid" eyewash station.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I keep a pack of single use bottles of saline solution in my shop medicine chest. I also keep a big bottle of saline solution in the bathroom closet. Both have squirt tops that are great for flushing your eye.

I used to use an eye cup till a friends wife (who is a nurse) just had be tilt my head sideways and flushed the heck out of my eye with a big bottle of saline when I had rust in it. Now I do the same thing. works great.


Chris

 

[Ironhorse]

Got a standalone one at the shop from Grainger...but always use the eyewash in the First Aid Kits...

 

[Mustangmike]

We have 2 eyewash stations in our shop. 1 inside the change-room/washroom, that is simply a plastic squeeze bottle filled with sterile saline, and the other is very similar to the OP picture post. We got ours from Acklands Grainger ( Industrial supplier here in Canada )

 

[HAP]

Had one of the bottles. Problem was, if I or someone moved it and I needed it in a hurry, well... I knew that was gonna ****.

R,
HAP

 

[Responder]

Plastic squeeze bottle. Not the ideal solution but it is better than nothing. NIce thing about them is that they are fairly inexpensive.

 

[wssix99]

Anyone else have an eye wash staion in their shop? Some of those spectacular bathrooms could be even better with one I got mine from ZORO Tools for $57.00. Their price is alomost half of what others sell this one for. Your spouse will even give you extra credit for thinking "safety". Threre are lots of styles and models out there to choose from, I just like the looks of this one.

I looked at these for my upcoming shop and couldn't justify the expense to do all the related hard plumbing.

I can see doing this in a commercial shop, but in a home shop, I like to believe the use of the eye was station is not very probable - but necessary to have around. I think a wall mount may do better for a back yard mechanic who just needs the added safety factor every once-in-a-while:

 

[gbh]

I only had to use one once...glad to this day that it was there.

 

[Jbullfrog]

I went with a pull out sprayer on my shop sink.

 

[Kevin54]

Our shop had to take all of those out due to bacteria buildup. The longer they set unused the more bacteria grows in them. The other type that is hooked directly to a sink is much better.

 

[nehog]

I keep a pack of single use bottles of saline solution in my shop medicine chest. I also keep a big bottle of saline solution in the bathroom closet. Both have squirt tops that are great for flushing your eye...

Ditto here (no water/plumbing so sink solutions won't work) I keep a bottle of contact lens solution in the drawer with the first aid stuff. I like the stuff as I use it every day with my contacts... It is cheap too, three bottles under $10 at BJs.

 

[HAP]

Our shop had to take all of those out due to bacteria buildup. The longer they set unused the more bacteria grows in them. The other type that is hooked directly to a sink is much better.

We had those on the hangar deck and in the side shops. It was always a struggle to define who was responsible for the upkeep and inspections. Always seemed to be wrapped in spider webs too even though the inspection tags were being signed... Also, the solution will grow bacteria; more so in certain climates.

Gladd I found the faucet type.

 

[jerseywild]

The only problem with that eye was from looking at the picture is there is no mixing valve. It looks like you have to turn on the hot and cold to adjust the temperature. I am not sure I would remember that if I really needed the eye wash.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I don't have one it sounds like a good idea. Fortunately, I've never had to use one but I have seen them in use.

 

[Ironhorse]

I have a little one at the home garage...not sure if this happened to any of you guys..but pulled a gas line off of dual carb set up and it was under a bit of pressure..no saftey glasses and I got a pint of race fuel right in my face...I could not see a thing..made it to the first aid box and felt for one of the eye wash bottles...used the whole thing and when I could see a little bit...used another one..hence why there is a big on at my shop and a small one at my house...I can not count how many times I am under a car and rust or grease some amazing way gets in my eyes around saftey glasses.

 

[HAP]

The only problem with that eye was from looking at the picture is there is no mixing valve. It looks like you have to turn on the hot and cold to adjust the temperature. I am not sure I would remember that if I really needed the eye wash.

Most eye wash stations are "Cold" only. The option for warm IS there...

 

[Crusty Nut]

Most eye wash stations are "Cold" only. The option for warm IS there...

Plus, I'm imagining running for the faucet and just turning it on full bore. Cold, warm, whatever, just not chemical in the eye.

 

[HAP]

Plus, I'm imagining running for the faucet and just turning it on full bore. Cold, warm, whatever, just not chemical in the eye.

I feel you Crusty...

 

[wssix99]

The longer they set unused the more bacteria grows in them. The other type that is hooked directly to a sink is much better.[/QUOTE]

Does this model require just any fluid? I assumed there was a sterile compartment, just like the ones with the bottles hanging in the rack? (If not, maybe I need the one with the sterile bottles?)

 

[zuk123]

Does this model require just any fluid? I assumed there was a sterile compartment, just like the ones with the bottles hanging in the rack? (If not, maybe I need the one with the sterile bottles?)

They sell a refill mix that you add to water. It says "change every week" on the bottle.

I just picked up 5 of these at an auction. I'll be keeping one for my shop and selling the rest.

Until now, I've relied on a can of sterile saline contact lens stuff. It's just saline under a mild pressure, but it works great. It is always in the same spot, so I can find it blind...


I once got a hell of a chemical burn at home when detergent (plain old Tide) splashed up and coated both eyes. I got to the sink by feel and started rinsing. Stopped long enough to unlock the door and call 911 then back to rinsing (burned like fire, and I couldn't see anything but light). Got transported to the ER, and they hooked up a special cup and hose and ran several more liters of saline thru each eye. I was on meds and drops for weeks and it took some time before I could see right again.

Whatever works for you, I would recommend having SOMETHING, and knowing where it is.

zuk

 

[thrillho]

Thanks to this post, and having had similar scares in the garage that have been described here, I got a Bradley faucet mount eyewash unit on eBay last week. It looks nearly identical to the one posted by the OP.

It was $50 shipped. The peace of mind is worth it given a few of the "Oh S**T" moments when I've needed such things before and been trying in vain to splash water into my eye with a grease or sawdust covered hand...

It showed up last night and I installed it in the laundry tub faucet in 5 minutes. I took the opportunity to show the kids (14 and 11) how to use it, since i knew it will be huge laughs to turn on the diverter and shoot water out all over the place for the amusement of their friends.

My tune was, "...don't screw around with this, but IF YOU NEED TO, here's how it works..." They spend enough time with me in the garage, and frankly i should have thought about this a long time ago.

So thanks to the GJ forum for just the latest in a long list of great ideas I have adopted/ripped off from the members here.

 

[HAP]

I plan to buy one as a Xmas gift for my BIL. It's a reasonable cost and thoughtful by most.

HAP

 

[427FAB]

I have a plastic 7 - 11 cup screwed to the wall with a cheapo plastic mirror screwed on top of that.I have a bottle of saline stuck in the plastic cup.I also have another plastic cup covering the saline bottle so it does not get dirty.It has saved my **** numerous times.My wife's good friend is a nurse.She has said the whole tilt your head and flush with saline is the method to use.

 

[sparky7]

i keep a saline bottle in my toolbox, i use it a couple times a month