Eyewash Stations: A Crucial Element to Workplace Eye Protection

Certain types of eye injuries require immediate flushing of the eyes in order to prevent permanent damage or even blindness. This is where eyewash stations become critical elements to the workplace eye protection safety program. 

 Not all workplaces are required to have eyewash stations, but if you do have them, it's vital for employees at risk of eye injuries know where the stations are located and how to use them effectively.

OSHA requirements for emergency eyewashes (29 CFR 1910.151[c]) specify that "where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use."
An letter of interpretation, dated 2009, OSHA explains circumstances in which an eyewash station would not be required:
"As the standard states, an eyewash and/or safety shower would be required where an employee's eyes or body could be exposed to injurious corrosive materials. If none of the materials used in this work area is an injurious corrosive [chemical] (as indicated by the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each product), then an emergency eyewash or shower would not be required pursuant to 1910.151(c)."

ANSI Standard

Unfortunately, the OSHA standard provides little useful guidance about eyewash stations. For that, most employers turn to a consensus standard developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z358.1-2009).
The OSHA letter of interpretation mentioned above states:
"While not having the force of a regulation under the OSH Act, the current ANSI standard addressing emergency eyewash and shower equipment (ANSI [Z]358.1-2009) provides for eyewash and shower equipment in appropriate situations when employees are exposed to hazardous materials. ANSI's definition of 'hazardous material' would include caustics, as well as additional substances and compounds that have the capability of producing adverse effects on the health and safety of humans. ANSI's standard also provides detail with respect to the location, installation, nature, and maintenance of eyewash and shower equipment."

Location and Use

• Eyewash stations should be located 10 seconds or less walking time from a work process with hazardous chemicals that could be splashed or sprayed into workers' eyes.
• Employees who get hazardous substances in their eyes should flush eyes at a eyewash station for 15 minutes.
• Particles or dust in eyes can also be flushed out at an eyewash station.
• Following use of the eyewash station, employees should normally seek medical attention, especially if a hazardous chemical is involved or if irritation or pain continues after attempting to flush a particle out of the eye.