Facility Management

Engineered Controls

The first and best strategy is to control the hazard at its source. Engineering controls do this, unlike other controls that generally focuses on the employee exposed to the hazard. The basic concept behind engineering controls is that, to the extent feasible, the work environment and the job itself should be designed to eliminate hazards or reduce exposure to hazards.

Engineering controls can be simple in some cases. They are based on the following princples:

  • If feasible, design the facility, equipment, or process to remove the hazard or substitute something that is not hazardous.
  • If removal is not feasible, enclose the hazard to prevent exposure in normal operations.
  • Where complete enclosure is not feasible, establish barriers or local ventilation to reduce exposure to the hazard in normal operations.

  1. Fume Hoods
  2. Eye Washes
  3. Emergency Showers

    1. Fume Hoods

      The College performs hood inspections annually. After an inspection, hoods are passed or failed for use based on the following criteria:

      • The face velocity of air being drawn into the hood at optimal sash height is measured quantitatively in feet per minute (fpm) by an anemometer. One measurement is taken per square foot of face space and averaged. Hoods must have an average face velocity of 80-120 fpm, depending on their design, with 100 fpm being the ideal average face velocity.

      • If the exhaust system does not pass the face velocity test it will be posted as "failed" by the inspector. The Instructor of Record must contact Facilities Services to have the system repaired before hazardous chemicals can be used in the hood.

      • If the exhaust system does pass, the inspector will post the date of inspection and will mark the hood to indicate proper sash position for optimum hood performance. The hood sash is to be set at this point for procedures which could generate toxic aerosols, gases or vapors. In general, the sash height should be set at a level where the operator is shielded to some degree from any explosions or violent reactions which could occur and where optimum air flow dynamics are achieved. If a fume hood has no markings regarding sash height or inspection dates, please contact the chemical hygiene officer to arrange an inspection.

    2. Eye Wash 

      3. Gettysburg College accepts the following ANSI standards for location, design, and maintinance of emergency eyewash facilities:



      • Eyewashes must be located within 10 seconds where injurious corrosive materials are used.

      • Eye wash facilities must provide the minimum of a 15 minute water supply at no less than 0.4 gallons per minute and must provide hands-free operation once activated.

      • The location of the eyewash should be clearly marked, well lighted and free from obstacles, closed doorways, or turns.

      The Laboratory Technician or the Instructor of Record shall test eyewashes at least monthly. A test consists of activating the eyewash for 15 minutes to flush the lines of corrosion and bacterial growth and permit observation of proper pressurization levels and water temperature. Documentation consists of dating and initialing an attached tag.
  1. Emergency Shower

    Safety showers provide an immediate water drench of an affected person. Gettysburg College accepts the following ANSI standards for location, design, and maintenance of safety showers:

    • Showers shall be located within 10 seconds where injurious corrosive materials are used.

    • Showers must provide a 15 minute water supply at no less than 20 gallons per minutes and must provide hands-free operation once activated.

    • The location of the shower must be clearly marked, well-lighted and free from obstacles, closed doorways, and turns.

    Maintenance staff shall test the flow through safety showers at least once annually to ensure a flow of 20 gallons per minute. Documentation consists of dating and initialing the tag.