An eyewash station is safety equipment designed to provide immediate flushing fluid to the eyes and face in the event of accidental exposure to harmful materials. It serves as a first aid measure, delivering a controlled stream of water or saline solution to rapidly decontaminate the affected area. This quick response minimizes the potential for severe or permanent injury. The unit is engineered for easy access and simple activation, recognizing that the user will likely have impaired vision and be in distress.
Why Eyewash Stations Are Mandatory
Work environments handling hazardous substances require these stations to protect personnel and meet safety guidelines. Eyewash stations are necessary where materials can cause severe eye damage, including corrosive chemicals, strong acids, caustics, fine particulates, foreign objects, or sources of thermal burns.
Regulations determine station location based on hazard level and proximity to workers. The guiding principle is ensuring a person can reach the flushing fluid quickly to begin decontamination. This measure prevents minor incidents from escalating into irreversible injury by instantly diluting or washing away the contaminant.
Essential Features and Types of Stations
Eyewash stations fall into two categories: plumbed and portable units. Plumbed stations are permanently connected to a potable water source, offering a continuous flow for extended periods. Portable stations use a self-contained supply of flushing fluid and are suitable for areas without a fixed water line or where the work site frequently changes.
The equipment must meet specific performance criteria. This includes a minimum flow rate of 0.4 gallons (1.5 liters) per minute, sustained for 15 minutes. The flushing fluid must also be tepid, maintained between 60°F and 100°F (16°C and 38°C), as water outside this range can cause thermal shock or scalding. Nozzle heads are designed to deliver a gentle, non-injurious flow to both eyes simultaneously.
Step-by-Step Emergency Use
Immediate action is paramount when eye exposure occurs. An injured person should reach the eyewash station within 10 seconds of exposure, typically interpreted as a travel distance of approximately 55 feet. The unit must be activated in a single, simple motion, and the activation valve must stay open without requiring the user’s hands.
Once the water is flowing, the user should immediately lower their face into the stream, holding their eyelids open with their fingers. This is a critical step that allows the flushing fluid to reach the entire surface of the eye and flush out any trapped contaminants. The eyes must be irrigated for 15 minutes to ensure proper decontamination, especially with corrosive substances. If the injured person is wearing contact lenses, they should be removed during the flushing process if they have not already been flushed out by the water flow. Following the 15-minute flush, the injured person must seek professional medical attention.
Ensuring Operational Readiness
Routine maintenance by the facility operator is required to ensure the station’s readiness for an emergency. Plumbed stations must be activated weekly to flush the supply line, preventing the buildup of sediment and microbial contaminants, such as Acanthamoeba or Pseudomonas. This weekly flushing ensures the water supply is clean and verifies the unit is operating correctly, checking for issues like low flow rates.
In addition to weekly activation, a comprehensive annual inspection is required to verify compliance with performance standards. This check involves confirming the flow rate, ensuring the water temperature remains within the tepid range, and confirming the unit’s accessibility. The area around the station must be kept clear of obstructions, and the unit must be clearly marked with a highly visible sign.