July 1994

The Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) standard (29 CFR 1910.151(c)) for emergency eyewash and shower equipment requires, "where the eyes and 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." The purpose of this information bulletin is to provide information to assist employers with compliance. This information bulletin will give guidance on how to:

• select,
• use, and
• maintain emergency eyewash and shower equipment.

How do I Determine if the Substance Being Used Would Require an Emergency Eyewash and/or Shower?

Eyewash

An emergency eyewash must be present if there is a risk of eye irritation and/or eye damage from chemical exposure.

Shower

An emergency shower must be present if there is any possibility of contact with substances which could result in chronic or rapidly occurring health effects through skin absorption or cause skin damage or sensitization.

Factors to consider in determining if an emergency eyewash and/or shower is necesary for a substance include:

• length of exposure,
• concentration.
• quantity, and
• use of the substance being handled.

Some sources of information that may be helpful in determining health risk include, but are not limited to:

• the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or label issued by the manufacturer stating that an eyewash and/or emergency shower be available;
• the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services, Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet stating that an eyewash and/or emergency shower must be available for one or more chemicals present in the workplace.
  

  For example, eye contact under the First Aid section of the Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet for sulfuric acid states, "INSTANTLYflush eyes with large amounts of water. Continue without stopping for at least 30 minutes. . ." This indicates the need for an eyewash station.

What Kind of Eyewash and/or Shower Should be in the Workplace?

The first few seconds following an eye injury are often crucial in keeping injury to a minimum. The PEOSH Program recommends that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Publication Z358.1-1990 for emergency eyewash and shower equipment be used for selecting the appropriate eyewash and/or shower equipment. For example, the ANSI standard requires that an approved eyewash capable of providing at least fifteen minutes of continual flushing must be provided in areas where corrosive substances are used. This document is available from ANSI, 11 W. 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036, (212) 642-4900.

Where Should the Eyewash and/or Shower Equipment be Located?

Eyewash stations and/or showers should be placed within the work area for immediate emergency use. ANSI requires that an eyewash must be provided within 100 feet (30.5m) or ten seconds travel time in areas where corrosive substances are used. The unit should be located as close to the hazard as possible, and on the same level. The maximum time required to reach the eyewash should be determined by the potential effect of the chemical. For a strong acid or strong caustic, the eyewash should be immediately adjacent to or within 10 feet of the hazard. It is recommended that a consulting physician be contacted for advice on the proper distance.

How do I Maintain Eyewash and/or Shower Equipment?

ANSI recommends that all emergency eyewash and shower equipment be checked on a weekly basis in order to ensure proper working condition. Plumbed eyewash units should be activated weekly to flush the line and to verify proper operation. Self-contained eyewash units must be maintained according to manufacturer's instructions. The weekly inspections should be recorded for each unit.

Who Should be Trained on the Use of Emergency Eyewash and/or Shower Equipment?

Any employee who may be exposed to a chemical splash should be instructed in the proper use of eyewash and shower equipment.

What Personal Protective Equipment is Needed?

The proper skin and eye protection equipment is needed to ensure that hazardous substances are not splashed into the eyes or absorbed though the skin. Refer to 29 CFR 1910.132 "General Requirements" and 29 CFR 1910.133 "Eye and Face Protection" for requirements of these standards. The type of protection should be listed on the MSDS and the Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet for the chemicals used at your workplace. If you have any questions you can contact a personal protective equipment vendor or the PEOSH Program at (609) 984-1863.

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Program
P.O. Box 360
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0360
(609) 984-1863

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Last Updated: December 1, 1997