The unit should be between 83.8 and 134.6 cm (33 to 53 inches) from the floor, and a minimum of 15.3 cm (6 inches) from the wall or nearest obstruction. With an eye wash station, the user should be able to open their eyelids with their hands and still have their eyes in the liquid.

The OSHA requirements for emergency eyewashes and showers, found at 29 CFR 1910.151(c), specify that “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 …

Combination Drench Shower/Eyewash.

Installation / Location: Must be accessible within 10-seconds of hazard, approximately 55-feet (consult a medical professional to determine the appropriate distance for harsh acids and caustics; high hazard = closer distance) Must be located on the same level as the hazard.

Most eyewash, eye/face wash and safety station units are designed with waste connections for connection to drain piping. For emergency showers and for other units without waste connections, floor drains should be provided.

Plumbed stations are permanently connected to a source of potable water, whereas portable stations are self-contained gravity-fed units with their own flushing fluid that must be replaced after each use. Eyewash fluid must irrigate and flush both eyes simultaneously.

In general, facilities are required to have an eyewash station where potentially hazardous materials are handled by workers.

The green light readily identifies to users where the Safety Shower or Eye/Face Wash is located for ease of finding in an emergency. A green light doesn’t illuminate the area. The area still needs to be well illuminated.

Once you have determined your needs, there are two types of primary emergency eyewash delivery stations to consider: plumbed and portable. Plumbed eyewash — Plumbed eyewash units have been used for more than 100 years. These units deliver plumbed tap water to the eyes in plentiful amounts.

OSHA Directives are written statements of policy and procedure on a single subject, which generally include implementation guidelines and responsibilities for the Agency’s affected offices.

The standard states that the water temperature for the flushing fluid in an eyewash station must be tepid, which is between 60° and 100° F or 16° and 38° C. Tepid water helps encourage worker compliance to meet the full 15 minutes of flushing which helps prevent further absorption of chemicals and injury to the eyes.

15 minutes
The ANSI standard for eyewashes specifies that eyewashes must be capable of delivering tepid flushing fluid to the eyes not less than 1.5 liters per minute (0.4 gpm) for 15 minutes after a single movement and subsequent hands-free operation.