An emergency eyewash station is a fundamental piece of safety equipment designed to provide immediate decontamination following exposure to hazardous chemicals. When corrosive or irritating substances contact the eyes, a readily accessible, fully functional station can prevent permanent injury. Ensuring this equipment is operational requires a disciplined schedule of checks and maintenance. Compliance requires establishing a rigorous inspection protocol to guarantee the station will perform its intended function in a crisis.
Understanding the Regulatory Framework
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets the foundational requirement for emergency flushing equipment in the workplace. OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.151(c) mandates that where employees may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, employers must provide “suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing” for immediate use. This regulation establishes the necessity of having the equipment but does not define the technical specifications for performance or maintenance frequency.
OSHA generally defers to the detailed technical guidance provided by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard Z358.1-2014. This standard outlines minimum performance and use requirements for emergency equipment. ANSI Z358.1 is recognized as the industry standard and is utilized by OSHA compliance officers to determine if facilities are “suitable.” Therefore, the inspection frequencies and performance criteria found within ANSI Z358.1-2014 are the authoritative standard for employers.
Weekly Activation Requirements
The most frequent maintenance task for plumbed eyewash units is a weekly activation, often referred to as flushing. This routine check verifies that the equipment is working correctly and ensures that clean flushing fluid is available at the device head. The activation confirms that the valve functions properly and that the unit can be turned on quickly in an emergency.
The weekly flush addresses the issue of stagnant water within the plumbing lines, particularly in sections known as “dead legs.” Water sitting in the pipes for extended periods can become a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms, such as Acanthamoeba and Legionella, which cause severe eye infections. Running the water flushes out this stagnant water, along with any sediment or mineral buildup that could clog the spray heads and reduce flow.
The duration of the weekly activation is determined by the length of the piping containing stagnant water. The goal is to completely clear the entire volume of water in the dead leg portions of the supply line to ensure the water delivered is fresh. While the length of the flush varies by installation, the process must be long enough to guarantee that all old water is purged and that the flow appears clear and steady.
Annual Comprehensive Inspections
In addition to the weekly checks, a comprehensive inspection of all emergency eyewash equipment must be conducted at least once per year. This annual inspection is a detailed functional evaluation confirming that the station meets all performance criteria outlined in the ANSI Z358.1-2014 standard. It moves beyond simple activation to measure and verify the unit’s complete technical compliance.
During the annual inspection, technicians check the unit’s flow rate to ensure it delivers the required volume of fluid for the full duration of use. They also verify the water temperature, confirming the fluid is delivered within the tepid range. Technicians inspect the valve assembly for wear, corrosion, or leakage, and carefully examine all components, including the spray heads, to ensure they are protected from contaminants and deliver the proper pattern.
The annual evaluation determines if the installation maintains conformance to the established safety standard under simulated emergency conditions. Any discrepancies, such as a degraded flow rate or a temperature outside the acceptable range, must be identified and corrected immediately. This check confirms that the equipment remains a reliable first-aid measure.
Key Operational Standards for Compliance
An eyewash station’s effectiveness is directly tied to meeting specific operational and performance standards established by ANSI Z358.1-2014. One standard concerns accessibility, requiring the station to be located within a 10-second travel time (roughly 55 feet) from the hazard. The path to the station must be entirely free of obstructions, and the unit must be located on the same level as the hazard.
The standard places emphasis on the temperature of the flushing fluid, which must be delivered as tepid water, defined as falling between 60°F (16°C) and 100°F (38°C). Water outside this range can cause thermal shock or accelerate chemical reactions, defeating the purpose of the equipment. Maintaining this temperature often necessitates the use of thermostatic mixing valves, especially where ambient temperatures fluctuate widely.
The station must also meet specific fluid delivery requirements to ensure adequate decontamination. An eyewash unit must deliver a minimum of 1.5 liters (0.4 gallons) of flushing fluid per minute for a continuous duration of 15 minutes. This sustained flow guarantees a thorough rinsing of the eyes following a chemical splash.
Operationally, the unit must meet several requirements:
The unit must be activated in one second or less.
It must feature a stay-open valve that allows for hands-free use once the flushing fluid is flowing.
The hands-free operation permits the injured user to hold their eyelids open to ensure proper irrigation for the required 15-minute period.
The height of the fluid stream must be positioned between 33 and 53 inches from the floor surface.
Documentation and Training
Maintaining detailed records of all inspection and maintenance activities is mandatory for compliance with the ANSI standard. Documentation logs should include:
The date and time of every weekly activation and annual inspection.
The name of the person who performed the check.
The results of the test.
Details of any corrective actions taken, along with the date of repair, if deficiencies are identified.
These records serve as proof of due diligence, demonstrating that the employer has consistently maintained the equipment in a ready state. Beyond physical maintenance, employers must ensure that all personnel exposed to hazardous materials receive proper training. This training must cover the station’s location, how to activate the equipment, and the correct procedure for its use in an emergency.