Safety in the Workplace: Emergency Eye Wash Stations and Drench Showers

Depending on your business, emergency eye wash and shower stations may be a critical part of your emergency safety plan. Learn about their differences, OSHA and ANSI regulations, placement in your facility, and some popular products we have at Zoro. 

What Are Emergency Eye Wash and Shower Stations?

Eye wash stations can help decontaminate the ocular area from spills and particulate matter by providing a constant flow of water to both eyes. Eye wash stations should provide at least 15 minutes of continuous tepid water.

Shower stations or drench stations are used when the whole body is at risk due to a spill, splashes, or debris. They must provide a steady flow of tepid water for at least 15 minutes.

Why Are Emergency Showers or Eye Wash Stations Important?

Exposure to hazardous substances such as chemicals and gasses can cause irreversible damage to many parts of the body. In fact, the first 10-15 seconds after exposure is the most critical in projecting the outcome. These stations provide workers with an immediate place to decontaminate, lessening their chances of sustaining an injury.

The most common places where eye injuries occur: 

• Fluid dispensing and waste collection areas
• Production lines
• Dip tanks
• Spray booths
• Areas with high dust levels
• Battery charging areas
• Laboratories

What Are the OSHA and ANSI/ISEA Requirements?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) have put forth guidance concerning eye wash stations and shower stations. 

OSHA’s code 29 CFR 1910.151(c) addresses facilities that are required to provide wash stations as a form of first aid. It 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.”

Secondly, OSHA addresses the types of industries that must provide wash stations for their employees. These industries include storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia, activities utilizing an open surface tank, powered industrial trucks, telecommunications, pulp, paper, and paperboard manufacturing, formaldehyde handling, hazardous materials, and the construction industry.

ANSI/ISEA builds upon OSHA’s guidance and instructs businesses on the selection, installation, and maintenance of eye and shower stations in their consensus standard Z358.1-2014. This standard is what OSHA uses as a guide when inspecting facilities. Here are a few examples of information found in the document:

• Safety eye wash and shower equipment must be located within 10 seconds of a chemical hazard. 
• Emergency eye wash and shower stations must be on the same level as the hazard. 
• The pathway to reach eye wash or shower equipment must be free of any obstacles.

Where Should Eye Wash Stations and Safety Showers Be Located?

As previously noted, wash stations should be placed within 10 seconds (or approximately 55 feet) from the known hazard. The worker’s vision may be impaired in the event of exposure and that should be taken into consideration. Place showers or eye wash stations as close as possible to the hazard. Here is some additional guidance found in ANSI Z358.1-2014.

• Each fixture must be in a well-lit area with a highly visible sign. Workers should be able to see the sign from any direction.
• If corrosive substances are being used, the fixture should be placed immediately adjacent to the hazard. 
• If multiple workers may be exposed to a potential chemical spill, multiple fixtures must be installed.
• Make sure drench showers can drain properly.
• Make sure your employees know where fixtures are located and how to use them.

Types of Eye Wash Stations and Drench Shower Stations

Types of Eye Wash Stations

There are two types of eye wash stations: plumbed stations and self-contained stations.

• Plumbed stations: Eye wash stations with continuous access to potable water. ANSI Z358.1 recommends a flow of 0.4 gpm at 30 psi.
• Self-contained stations: Stand-alone or portable stations with their own flushing fluids that need to be refilled. They rely on gravity to operate. ANSI Z358.1 recommends a flow of 0.4 gallons of water per 15 minutes.

Next, we’ll take a look at some popular plumbed and self-contained eye wash units and their benefits. Whether your team is in a manufacturing plant or on the jobsite, we have an eye wash station to suit your needs.

Portable Placement Eye Wash Stations

Portable (self-contained) eye wash stations can go wherever the job takes you. They come in numerous styles including personal eye wash bottles, wall-mounted designs, cart-mounted designs, and hand-held units.

Wall-Mounted Eye Wash Stations

Wall-mounted eye wash stations can include self-contained or plumbed designs. Many manufacturers include mounting brackets for ease of installation. Wall-mounted designs are highly visible and provide a reliable place for employees to access in the instance of an exposure.

Self-Contained Wall-Mounted Eye Wash Station	Plumbed Eye Wash Station	Portable Wall-Mounted Eye Wash Station	Faucet-Mounted Eye Wash Station
Powered by gravity.	Connects to a potable water source. Activated by a push handle.	Powered by gravity and activated by a pull tray.	Connects to a faucet and is activated by a pull handle.

Types of Drench Shower Equipment

There are also two types of drench showers: plumbed showers and self-contained showers.

• Plumbed showers: Plumbed showers have continuous access to potable water. They should deliver 20 gpm for 15 minutes at 30 psi. 
• Self-contained showers: Stand-alone showers contain their own flushing fluid. They should deliver 20 gpm for 15 minutes.

Plumbed Shower with an Eye Wash Station	Self-Contained Shower with Eye Wash Station
This shower performs double duty with a shower and eye wash station in one. This equipment hooks up to a facility’s plumbing and is activated by pull and push handles.	This portable emergency shower goes wherever the job takes you with a 30-gallon capacity.

Safety Signs for Your Facility

Emergency wash stations must be highly visible in case of an emergency. Here are some popular signs that may be right for your facility.

Emergency Eye Wash Sign	High-Visibility Eye Wash Sign	Emergency Eye Wash Station Sign	3-View Eye Wash Station Sign

Maintenance and Training

ANSI recommends activating your eye wash and shower stations weekly to avoid sediment buildup and prevent microbial contamination of stagnant water. This is also a great time to review where your facility’s wash stations are located, how to most efficiently access them, how they’re operated, and how long to flush contaminants (at least 15 minutes).

Using inspection tags is a great way to keep track of weekly maintenance checks.

Eye Wash Station Inspection Tag	Emergency Shower and Eye Wash Station Inspection Tag
Record maintenance activities, dates, and employee initials.	Record maintenance activities, dates, and employee initials.

Personal Eye Wash Bottle	Eye Wash Preservative	Replacement Eye Wash Bottle
Portable, personal saline eye wash.	Helps keep eye solution in portable eye wash stations free of contaminants.	Replacement saline eye wash for a portable eye wash station.

Eye Wash Cartridges	Eye Wash Concentrate
Replacement eye solution for self-contained eye wash stations.	Saline concentrate for portable eye wash stations.

Providing properly maintained emergency wash stations can help prevent serious injury on the job. Zoro carries everything you need to keep your employees safe and your business in compliance. Shop eye wash stations, drench shower stations, and everything else you need for your business at Zoro.

Product Compliance and Suitability

The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.