Eyewash Stations and Emergency Showers
An emergency eyewash is the means by which to flush the eyes with copious amounts of water to minimize the harmful effects of chemicals and other substances when splashed or spattered into the eyes.
An emergency shower is the means by which to flush all or part of the body with copious amounts of water to minimize the harmful effects of chemicals and other substances when splashed or spattered onto the skin.
Eyewash Stations and Emergency Showers
What are the consequences of not providing eyewash stations and emergency showers?
Failure to provide adequate flushing capability could result in irreversible damage to the eyes or skin due to corrosive substances or occupational illness due to absorption or penetration of a harmful substance.
What can I do to protect myself?
Employees should familiarize themselves with the location of the nearest quick drenching facilities. Employers should check quick drenching facilities regularly (e.g., weekly for eyewash stations) to ensure adequate flow and function.
What resources are available to assist employers?
Safety and Health Programs
This example PPE and hazard analysis can be downloaded and customized to fit an individual workplace. Employers are required to perform a workplace hazard assessment to determine what personal protective equipment is necessary to protect employees from continued exposure to identified hazards.
Training and Outreach Services
This presentation on personal protective equipment can assist employers in training their staff. The education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request.
In addition, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).
Safety and Health Topics
The safety and health topic pages on personal protective equipment, dipping and coating, bloodborne pathogens and medical services and first aid can provide additional resource information.
Consultation Services
The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.
Which standards apply?
OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to eyewash stations and emergency showers in North Carolina. Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.
General Industry
- 29 CFR 1910.111 - storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia
- 29 CFR 1910.124 - general requirements for dipping and coating operations
- 29 CFR 1910.151 - medical services and first aid
- 29 CFR 1910.261 - pulp, paper and paperboard mills
- 29 CFR 1910.262 - textiles
- 29 CFR 1910.268 - telecommunications
- 29 CFR 1910.1003 - 13 carcinogens
- 29 CFR 1910.1030 - bloodborne pathogens
- 29 CFR 1910.1048 - formaldehyde
- 29 CFR 1910.1052 - methylene chloride
Maritime, Marine Terminals
- 29 CFR 1917.95 - other protective measures
Construction
- 29 CFR 1926.50 - medical services and first aid
- 29 CFR 1926.441 - batteries and battery charging
Other Applicable Standards
The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can also help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.
Where can I learn more?
Compliance Documents
- Operational Procedure Notice 143, Suitable Facilities for Drenching or Flushing the Eyes or Body, establishes the enforcement policy and provides an explanation of the requirements of applicable standards to ensure uniform enforcement.
Industry Guides
- Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, provides requirements for construction standards related to eyewash stations and emergency showers in construction.
- Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, provides requirements for general industry standards related to eyewash stations and emergency showers in general industry.
- Industry Guide 54 - OSHA Marine Terminal Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, highlights the requirements of standards related to eyewash stations and emergency showers at marine terminals.
Technical Assistance
Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH through the online form, by email to ask.osh@labor.nc.gov, or by phone at 919-707-7876.