Is Your Eye Wash Station Compliant?

The OSHA Medical and First Aid Standard 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”.

However, OSHA doesn’t clarify minimum standards for ‘suitable facilities’ and therefore, employers often refer to ANSI for guidance.

Emergency eyewashes often go unused for long periods of time. Therefore, it’s important to test them regularly to ensure that they are working correctly when they are required. Most employers refer to ANSI Z358.1-2014 for guidance on what to inspect and be aware of.

ANSI Z358.1-2014 (section 5.5.2) states that plumbed eyewash equipment should be activated on a weekly basis long enough to ensure that flushing fluid is provided. This standard also requires tests of temperature, operation of valves, checks on flushing fluid and whether it needs to be changed, etc. Of course, it is difficult to prove that these checks have been undertaken if records are not kept.

However, in addition to this standard, the manufacturer’s recommendations usually state that devices should be inspected and tested and the results recorded, on a weekly basis.

Did you know UniFirst First Aid + Safety First Aid & Safety offers onsite service to help maintain your eyewash station? 

Do you manage your own eyewash station? UniFirst First Aid + Safety provides eye-wash station inspection checklists to help you meet compliance easily and affordably.

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