Emergency Washing Facilities (Eyewash and Shower)
It takes just one accidental splash of a corrosive substance, even a common household chemical like bleach, to cause serious or even permanent damage to a worker’s eyes or skin. This is why emergency washing facilities are required to supplement use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in workplaces where contact with corrosive, toxic, or strongly irritating chemicals is possible. For more about corrosives, see the Safety and Health Alert, "Corrosive Cleaning Products" (60KB PDF).
The best way to find out if a chemical is corrosive, toxic, or strongly irritating is to check the container label and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the chemical. Labels, MSDSs, and training on chemical safety are required as part of a workplace Chemical Hazard Communication Program.
General Rules
Emergency washing facilities,
WAC 296-800-15030 through -15040.
Rules for Specific Workplaces
- Agriculture: 296-307-03930 through -03945.
- Methylene chloride: WAC 296-62-07470 (9).
- Formaldehyde: WAC 296-856-20010.
Agency Policies & Enforcement Guidelines
- Emergency Washing Facilities (366 KB PDF) DOSH Directive 13.00.
- Non-Agricultural Use of Pesticides (158 KB PDF) WIIM 98-2-A.
Training Materials
- Corrosive Liquids Splash Investigation Story.
- Emergency Washing Equipment (online course).
- Eye Protection Training Kit (for instructors).
- Eye Protection Online Training Course (interactive training course).
- Chemical Hazards from Cleaning Products — Module 1 (online course).
First Aid for General Industry (online course).
DVDs and Videos
Other Resources
- Emergency Showers and Eyewash Stations (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety).
ANSI Z358.1-2009, Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment.
(If you belong to a business or trade association, it may already have a set of the ANSI standards available to its members. You can also borrow a copy of standards from the Washington State Library, Dept. of Labor & Industries branch, 360-902-5498. Catalog: ANSI Z358.1-2009 and ANSI Z358.1-1998.- Eye and Face Protection (OSHA).
- Eye Safety for Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery (NIOSH. Includes first aid for various eye injuries).
- Hospitals: Solutions to Common Safety and Health Violations (guidance).
- Safe practices when working arsound hazardous agricultural chemicals (Oregon OSHA).
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.
- Where to find Material Safety Data Sheets on the Internet (Interactive Learning Paradigms Incorporated (ILPI). Provides links to MSDS available on the Internet).
Related Topics
- Chemical Hazard Communication.
- MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets).
- Personal Protective Equipment.
- Eye Safety.
