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Industries That Need Emergency Eyewash Stations and Safety Showers
Emergency eyewash stations and safety showers are used in workplaces where employees could be exposed to corrosive chemicals or other substances capable of injuring the eyes, face or body. These risks occur in many industries, but an industry's name alone does not determine whether emergency flushing equipment is required.
Employers should evaluate the chemicals, concentrations, quantities and work processes present at each location. The assessment should also consider how an exposure could occur, which parts of the body could be affected and how quickly an injured employee could reach suitable flushing equipment.
The Hazard Determines the Need
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151(c) requires suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body within the work area when employees may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials. The proper equipment and placement therefore depend on the facility's documented hazard assessment—not simply on a general list of industries.
Workplaces With Common Eyewash and Shower Hazards
The following industries and operations frequently handle corrosives, irritants or other hazardous substances. Their inclusion does not mean every facility automatically needs the same equipment. Employers should review the actual products and processes at their location, applicable regulations, Safety Data Sheets and the current licensed ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 standard.
Battery Charging and Maintenance
Industrial battery rooms, fleet facilities, warehouses and equipment-maintenance areas may expose employees to sulfuric-acid electrolyte during filling, charging, servicing or spill cleanup.
Examples:
Forklift battery rooms, vehicle maintenance shops, utility facilities and backup-power installations.
Chemical Manufacturing and Processing
Employees may transfer, mix, sample or dispense concentrated acids, alkalis, solvents and reactive chemicals. Both eye/face and whole-body splash exposure may be possible.
Examples:
Chemical plants, blending operations, packaging lines and water-treatment facilities.
Laboratories and Research Facilities
Laboratory work may involve corrosive reagents, fixatives, cleaning chemicals or biological materials. Equipment decisions should reflect the substances used and the scale of each procedure.
Examples:
Industrial, educational, medical, pharmaceutical and quality-control laboratories.
Healthcare, Dental and Veterinary Facilities
Certain disinfectants, sterilants, laboratory reagents and cleaning products can create splash hazards. Routine clinical work does not automatically create the same need in every room.
Examples:
Decontamination rooms, laboratories, sterilization areas and chemical-storage locations.
Anhydrous Ammonia Operations
Anhydrous ammonia can seriously injure the eyes, skin and respiratory system. Storage, transfer, refrigeration and agricultural operations require careful evaluation under the regulations applicable to the installation and activity.
Examples:
Cold-storage plants, food processing, fertilizer operations and bulk transport.
Formaldehyde-Handling Operations
Work involving formaldehyde solutions may create eye or skin splash hazards. OSHA's formaldehyde standard includes specific protective-equipment and quick-drench provisions for covered exposures.
Examples:
Pathology laboratories, mortuaries, manufacturing operations and research facilities.
Metal Finishing, Plating and Dipping
Open tanks, transfer systems and treatment lines may contain corrosive cleaners, pickling acids, plating solutions or stripping chemicals capable of splashing the eyes or body.
Examples:
Electroplating, anodizing, galvanizing, parts washing and coating operations.
Pulp, Paper, Textile and Bleach Manufacturing
Caustic soda, bleaching agents, dyes and process chemicals may create corrosive splash hazards during production, maintenance and chemical transfer.
Examples:
Pulp mills, paper mills, textile processing, commercial laundries and bleach production.
Petroleum, Automotive and Industrial Maintenance
Cleaning, degreasing, paint stripping, battery work and chemical maintenance can expose workers to hazardous liquids. Current product formulations and Safety Data Sheets should be reviewed.
Examples:
Refineries, fleet garages, repair shops, maintenance departments and equipment rebuilders.
Construction and Masonry Work
Wet cement, concrete, acids, coatings and other construction chemicals can injure the eyes and skin. Equipment must be selected for the hazards and changing conditions at the jobsite.
Examples:
Concrete placement, masonry, restoration, industrial painting and chemical grouting.
Agriculture and Pesticide Handling
Fertilizers, pesticides, cleaning agents and ammonia can create exposure risks during mixing, loading, application, equipment service and bulk transfer.
Examples:
Farms, greenhouses, agricultural dealerships, fertilizer plants and application services.
Schools, Universities and Training Facilities
Science laboratories, vocational shops, maintenance areas and pool-treatment rooms may contain chemicals that require emergency flushing provisions.
Examples:
Chemistry labs, trade programs, custodial operations and facilities departments.
Examples of OSHA Standards With Emergency-Flushing Provisions
OSHA's general medical-services and first-aid standard is not the only regulation that may apply. Certain substances and operations have additional provisions. Examples include:
- General industry corrosive exposure: 29 CFR 1910.151(c).
- Construction battery charging: 29 CFR 1926.441(a)(6).
- Anhydrous ammonia storage and handling: 29 CFR 1910.111.
- Formaldehyde exposure: 29 CFR 1910.1048.
- Methylene chloride exposure: 29 CFR 1910.1052.
- Dipping and coating operations: 29 CFR 1910.124.
- Pulp, paper and paperboard mills: 29 CFR 1910.261.
Important: These examples are not a complete list, and the rules do not apply identically to every workplace. State-plan requirements, industry-specific regulations and the exact work process may affect the compliance determination.
Eyewash Station, Eye/Face Wash or Emergency Shower?
Emergency Eyewash
Intended to flush the eyes when the assessed hazard is primarily an eye exposure. The equipment must provide hands-free flushing after activation and be appropriate for the work environment.
Eye/Face Wash
Provides irrigation to both the eyes and face. It may be appropriate where splashes, dusts or other hazardous materials could affect more than the eyes alone.
Emergency Shower
Intended for exposures that could affect the body or clothing. Where both eye and body exposure are possible, a combination shower and eyewash may be the appropriate solution.
Personal eyewash bottles can provide immediate supplemental flushing in some situations, but they should not be represented as replacements for required primary emergency eyewash or shower equipment.
Facility Assessment Checklist
- Inventory the hazardous substances. Identify corrosives and other materials that could injure the eyes, face or body.
- Review current Safety Data Sheets. Pay particular attention to Sections 2, 4, 7 and 8 and to the manufacturer's emergency-response instructions.
- Evaluate the work—not only storage. Consider mixing, pouring, connecting hoses, sampling, maintenance, cleaning, spill response and waste handling.
- Identify the exposed body area. Determine whether a credible incident could affect the eyes, face, body or a combination of these areas.
- Consider exposure severity. Review chemical concentration, temperature, pressure, volume and the possibility of delayed or deep tissue injury.
- Map the travel path. Check distance, doors, stairs, obstructions, elevation changes, lighting and whether an injured employee could reach the equipment without assistance.
- Match equipment to the environment. Account for plumbing availability, freezing or extreme heat, drainage, water quality, accessibility and the manufacturer's installation requirements.
- Create an inspection and training program. Maintain the equipment, document required checks and train employees before an emergency occurs.
Related Eyewash Safety Resources
Emergency Eyewash Requirements
Understand the regulations, placement considerations, inspections and facility responsibilities.
How to Choose an Eyewash Station
Compare plumbed, self-contained, portable and supplemental eyewash options.
How to Use an Eyewash Station
Review the immediate steps employees should know before an eye-exposure emergency.
Effects of Chemical Splashes in the Eyes
Learn why immediate irrigation is critical after an acid, alkali or other chemical exposure.
Find Emergency Eyewash Equipment
Select Safety Sales offers plumbed and portable eyewash stations, combination emergency equipment, replacement parts, preservatives and related supplies for workplace applications. Shop Eyewash Stations or call 866-864-3495 for product assistance.
Recommended Source References
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151 — Medical Services and First Aid
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.441 — Batteries and Battery Charging
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.111 — Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1048 — Formaldehyde
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1052 — Methylene Chloride
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.124 — Dipping and Coating Operations
- ANSI Webstore — ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 (R2020)
Educational information: This page provides general workplace-safety and product-selection information. It does not replace a site-specific hazard assessment, the current licensed ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 standard, applicable federal or state requirements, Safety Data Sheets, manufacturers' instructions or advice from a qualified safety professional. Requirements vary according to the materials, exposure potential, work process and jurisdiction.
