Do I Need an Emergency Eyewash Station or Drench Shower?

• Is an eyewash station or drench shower required for my workplace?

  • General Industry

    For general industry work sites, 29 CFR 1910.151 (c) states:

    "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."

  • Construction Sites

    For construction sites, 29 CFR 1926.50 (g) states:

    "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."

  • Battery Handling Areas

    For battery handling areas, 29 CFR 1926.441 (a) (6) states:

    "Facilities for quick drenching of the eyes and body shall be provided within 25 feet (7.62 meters) of battery handling areas."

    Where batteries are charged for powered industrial trucks, cars, etc., an eyewash is required if electrolyte or water is added to cells. If there is no maintenance of the batteries other than charging, then an eyewash station is not required.

  • Specific Workplaces

    • Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia

      Stationary storage installations must have an easily accessible shower or a 50-gallon drum of water. Each vehicle transporting ammonia in bulk, except farm applicator vehicles, must carry a container of at least 5 gallons of water and must be equipped with a full face mask.

    • Activities Utilizing an Open Surface Tank

      Near each open surface tank containing hazardous liquids, hoses are allowed as a substitution for an eyewash station or emergency shower. There must be a supply of clean, cold water provided by a 3/4" diameter, 48" or longer hose, with a quick-opening valve. Pressure should not exceed 25 psi.

    • Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Manufacturing

      Quick operating showers must be available in case of caustic soda burns.

    • Powered Industrial Trucks

      If powered industrial trucks are parked for overnight storage and there is only routine battery recharging, there is no need for emergency facilities. If the batteries are serviced and handled, proper eyewash stations and showers must be available.

    • Telecommunications

      An eyewash or drench shower is required. However, if the storage batteries are of the enclosed type and equipped with explosion proof vents, then sealed water rinse or neutralizing packs may be substituted for eyewash stations or drench showers.

    • Medical Service and First Aid

      An eyewash or drench shower is required where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, carcinogenic chemicals, or HIV/HBV blood borne pathogens.

  • Do you use any of these materials?

    The presence of materials that cause damage to the eyes or skin, or are readily absorbed through the skin, requires proper emergency equipment. These materials can be in the following forms:

    Liquids (most common), Solids, Gases, Vapors, Mists

    • Very Acidic (low pH)

      • Acetic acid
      • Chromic acid (crystals or solution)
      • Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid)
      • Hydrofluoric acid (glass etching, dry cleaners/laundry)
      • Nitric acid (aqua fortis)
      • Phosphoric acid (solid or liquid)
      • Sulfuric acid (battery acid)

    • Highly Alkaline (high pH)

      • Ammonia
      • Ammonium hydroxide (aqueous ammonia)
      • Boiler additives
      • Calcium hydroxide (hydrated lime, slaked lime)
      • Calcium oxide (lime, quick lime, unslaked lime)
      • Diethylaminoethanol (boiler treatment)
      • Ethanolamine (corrosion inhibitor, detergents)
      • Ethylenediamine (solvent, photoresist stripper, corrosion inhibitor in antifreeze)
      • Hypochlorites (disinfectants, household bleach)
      • Potassium hydroxide (lye, caustic potash)
      • Sodium hydroxide (lye, caustic soda)
      • Sodium metasilicate (water glass, detergents)
      • Trisodium phosphate (TSP, detergents)

    • Other Common Chemicals

      • Chlorine
      • Chlorine dioxide
      • Cyanoacrylate adhesives (Super Glue)
      • Diethylene dioxide (boiler treatment, toxic through skin absorption)
      • Epoxy resins (epichlorohydrin/bisphenol A)
      • Eethylene oxide (gas sterilant)
      • Formaldehyde (gas, or up to 50% solution, Formalin)
      • Glutaraldehyde (cold sterilant)
      • Hydrogen peroxide (> 5%, a bleach)
      • Isocyanates (MDI, TDI)
      • Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP, catalyst for styrene resins)
      • Methylene chloride
      • Any chemical labeled oxidizer, corrosive, or caustic

• How do I determine if a material is hazardous?

  • Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

    Consult the "Health Hazard" section. If there are indications of burns, corneal damage, blindness, or eye damage, this will confirm the need for an emergency eyewash station and/or shower if a potential for employee exposure exists.

    Consult the "First Aid Measures" section. If it states, "In case of eye contact, flush immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes," an emergency eyewash and/or shower will be needed if a potential for employee exposure exists.

  • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

    If it states, "Provide Eyewash and/or Quick Drench," an emergency eyewash and/or shower will be needed if a potential for employee exposure exists.

    It is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html

  • Liquid pH Level

    Determine the pH of the solution (an indication of acidity or alkalinity).

    pH of 2 or less OR pH of 11 or greater

    Whenever an employee works with a chemical with a pH of 2 or less (very acidic) or a pH of 11 or greater (very basic or alkaline), and the manner in which the employee works with the material poses a potential for a splash or spatter to the eyes and face, an ANSI approved emergency eyewash station must be provided for access within 10 seconds of the hazard area.

    pH of 1 or less OR pH of 12 or greater

    Whenever an employee works with a chemical with a pH of 1 or less (highly acidic) or a pH of 12 or greater (highly basic or alkaline), and the manner in which the employee works with the material poses a potential for contact with the skin of the body, an ANSI approved emergency shower must also be provided for access within 10 seconds of the hazard area.

• How do I determine if a potential for employee exposure exists?

  You should look at the potential for the material to be splashed or get into the eyes or on the skin. If there is skin exposure, then it should be determined how much could splash on the skin. If the material is hazardous and capable of contacting the eyes, quantity is not a consideration.

  All determinations of exposure should be made WITHOUT regard to the use of personal protective equipment such as goggles, gloves, or faceshields.