How to Use an Eyewash Station and Safety Shower: Best Practices During Emergency

In 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 18,510 eye-related cases that led to at least one day away from work. These incidents primarily result from contact with objects or equipment and exposure to harmful substances or environments. Fast access to properly maintained emergency eyewash and emergency shower stations can prevent serious harm or lessen the severity of injuries.

Consider the case of a laboratory technician who accidentally splashed a corrosive chemical into their eyes. I was on-site when it happened, and what stood out most was how quickly they reacted. They knew exactly where the eyewash station was and how to use it without hesitation.

That moment reinforces a crucial point: having emergency equipment isn’t enough; workers also need to be trained and ready to use it.

CDC cites NIOSH estimates that about 2,000 U.S. workers sustain job-related eye injuries each day that require medical treatment.

Key Takeaways

• Respond immediately after chemical exposure. Delaying even a few seconds after exposure can increase injury severity.

• Emergency eyewash bottles are for immediate first aid only and should not replace full eyewash stations.

• Begin flushing immediately; remove contact lenses as soon as practical while irrigation continues. Do not delay flushing to remove them first.
  

• Emergency showers must be used for full-body exposure, with contaminated clothing removed quickly.

• Regular training and drills help reinforce proper response during real emergencies.

 

What to Do Immediately After an Eye Splash

If a chemical splashes into your eyes, start flushing immediately:

1. Go to the nearest eyewash station and activate it. Do not rub your eyes.

2. Hold your eyelids open and move your eyes in all directions so the water reaches the entire eye surface.

3. Keep flushing for at least 15 minutes, or longer if the chemical’s safety data sheet (SDS) or medical personnel direct. Remove contact lenses as soon as practical while flushing; do not delay the rinse to remove them.

4. Have a coworker call for help and bring the SDS while you continue rinsing. Get medical attention and report the exposure once immediate care is underway.

The sections below explain how to use each type of station and an emergency shower.

OSHA Requirement and ANSI/ISEA Equipment Criteria

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151(c) requires suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing where employees may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials. OSHA does not prescribe the detailed dimensions and performance criteria below; those are provided by ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 (R2020), the current American National Standard for emergency eyewash and shower equipment. OSHA has referenced ANSI Z358.1 as guidance for complying with 1910.151(c).

State-specific regulations may impose additional requirements, so consult local occupational health and safety agencies for compliance. For a closer look at placement and equipment requirements, see our OSHA eye wash station requirements guide.

 

How to Use a Plumbed Eyewash Station?

Plumbed eyewash stations are permanently installed units connected directly to a building's water supply. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use them efficiently:

1. Take Immediate Action

The moment a chemical, dust, or hazardous substance contacts your eyes, respond immediately. Delays can cause serious and even permanent eye injuries. Stop what you're doing and make your way to the nearest eyewash station as quickly and safely as possible. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, which can worsen the injury by spreading the substance or causing abrasions.

2. Activate Eye Wash Station

Push or pull the designated foot pedal, paddle, or lever to start the flow of tepid water; most stations are designed for hands-free operation once activated. Both eyewash nozzles must produce an even, steady stream before positioning your face. Don’t attempt to adjust the flow or temperature. These eyewash stations are engineered to deliver safe, consistent flushing immediately.

3. Perform Proper Flushing Technique

To flush the eyes effectively, place your face in front of the nozzles until the water is gently reaching your eyes. Use two fingers, typically the thumb and forefinger, to hold your eyelids open. Continuously flush your eyes for at least 15 minutes. In case of exposure to a harsher chemical or substance, flush the eyes longer. Aside from maintaining contact with the water for at least 15 minutes, move your eyes side-to-side and up-and-down to allow the fluid to reach other parts and ensure maximum flush.

4. Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

While you keep flushing, ask a coworker to find the workplace’s safety data sheet (SDS) and call for help. The SDS identifies the substance and any exposure-specific first-aid directions. The SDS provides critical information about potential health effects, proper first aid, and follow-up actions for exposure. Review it or provide it to responders so they can determine if additional rinsing, antidotes, or treatments are necessary.

5. Seek Medical Attention

Always follow up with a professional medical evaluation, regardless of how your eyes feel after flushing. Some chemicals can cause delayed reactions. Inform healthcare providers of the chemical involved and the first aid steps you followed, including how long you flushed your eyes. Prompt medical attention ensures a full assessment and prevents complications.

 

How to Use a Portable Eyewash Station?

Portable or self-contained eyewash stations can serve as primary emergency eyewash equipment when they meet ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 (R2020), including the ability to provide a continuous 15-minute flush. Smaller personal wash units and eyewash bottles are supplemental only. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use them efficiently:

1. If your eyes are exposed to hazardous chemicals, immediately go to the nearest portable gravity-fed eyewash station. Avoid rubbing your eyes. Alert a coworker to assist you if available. You must familiarize yourself with its location even before it is needed.

2. Pull down the activation tray to start the flow of water. Make sure the water flows steadily before using. Adjust your position to rinse your eyes simultaneously.

3. Hold your eyelids open and position your eyes in the water stream. Move your eyes in all directions to thoroughly rinse. Like plumbed eyewash stations, follow the minimum flush duration of 15 minutes to ensure maximum decontamination of the hazard. However, ensure the portable unit contains enough fluid to provide continuous flushing. If the flow stops before flushing is complete, have a coworker help you continue rinsing with an immediately available suitable source and reach a functioning station as quickly as possible.
   

4. Read the SDS for the chemical to check for special first aid steps. The SDS may list extended flushing times or other instructions. Follow any specific advice given.

5. Always consult a healthcare provider after using an emergency eyewash station to ensure no chemicals remain and to address any potential injuries. Continue to monitor for delayed symptoms, as some chemicals can cause injuries that aren't immediately apparent.

6. After each use, service the unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When not in use, inspect self-contained units at the manufacturer-specified interval and replace or supplement the flushing fluid as required.
   

 

How to Use Emergency Eyewash Bottles?

Eyewash bottles, also called personal eyewash bottles, are small, handheld containers filled with sterile flushing solution designed for immediate, short-term eye irrigation. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use them efficiently:

1. If a chemical or debris gets in your eye and an eyewash bottle is the nearest available flushing source, start rinsing immediately. Then get to a suitable full eyewash station as soon as possible without unnecessary delay.
   

2. Twist off the cap or break the seal as directed on the label. Make sure the nozzle is pointed toward your affected eye.

3. Squeeze the bottle gently to direct the flow into your eye. Hold the eye open with the fingers of one hand while administering the solution with the other. 

4. Continue rinsing with the bottle while making your way to a suitable full eyewash station. Do not delay sustained flushing at the station just to finish the bottle.
   

5. After using the eyewash bottle, proceed to a full emergency eyewash station as soon as possible and continue flushing there. Follow the SDS or medical guidance for total irrigation time; do not treat the bottle as a substitute for the station’s sustained flow.
   

6. If a full station is not immediately accessible, use additional eye wash bottles if available to keep the eye moist and continue flushing out contaminants.

7. Seek medical attention immediately after initial flushing, regardless of the severity, to assess any potential damage to the eye. Also, document the incident and the first-aid measures taken, including the use of the eye wash bottle.

While these bottles provide quick, on-the-spot relief, they are not a substitute for eyewash stations. Instead, they are intended as a temporary measure until the affected individual can reach a full eye wash station. These units are not a substitute for eyewash stations.

 

How to Use a Safety Shower?

Safety emergency showers are designed to quickly drench the body with large amounts of water in case of exposure to hazardous chemicals or substances on the skin. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use them efficiently:

1. Assess the Situation

If you’ve been exposed to hazardous chemicals or substances, quickly determine which areas of your body are affected. If both your eyes and body are exposed, use a combination emergency shower and eyewash station to flush everything at once.

2. Activate the Shower

Emergency showers typically have a pull handle or rod above your head. Grab the handle and pull it down firmly to start the water flow. This should activate the shower instantly. The water will flow continuously without needing to hold the handle, at a rate that quickly rinses off hazardous substances.

3. Remove Contaminated Clothing

Quickly remove any clothing or personal protective equipment that may have been contaminated by the chemical. Contaminated clothing can continue to expose your skin to the chemical. If possible, have a coworker assist while maintaining your privacy. Keep a clean lab coat or emergency blanket nearby.

4. Flush All Affected Areas

Stand directly under the water and thoroughly rinse the affected skin. If contaminated clothing or PPE has not already been removed, remove it while flushing continues. Continue drenching for at least 15 minutes, or longer if the SDS or medical personnel direct. If the eyes are also exposed, use the eyewash on a combination unit at the same time; the shower does not replace dedicated eyewash flow. Rotate as needed so water reaches all affected areas, and do not rub the skin.

5. Seek Medical Attention and Care

After using the safety shower, it is crucial to seek professional medical evaluation. Take the SDS for the chemical with you if possible. Even if you do not feel immediate pain or see visible signs of injury, medical follow-up is necessary to assess damage and begin appropriate treatment.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Eyewash Stations and Safety Showers

When using an eyewash station or safety shower, mistakes during or after exposure to harmful substances can make injuries worse. Here’s a list of common missteps to avoid so you respond properly and reduce harm:

• • Delaying the response: The most serious mistake is hesitating to use the eyewash station or safety shower. Chemicals can cause damage in seconds, so start flushing immediately.

  • Flushing for too little time: Many people stop rinsing too soon. Keep flushing for at least 15 minutes, and longer when the SDS or medical guidance calls for it. Fifteen minutes is a minimum emergency-flushing benchmark, not a guarantee that all chemical has been removed.

  • Improper use of the safety equipment:

    • Not holding eyelids open while using the emergency eyewash.

    • Using too little water or stopping the flow too early.

    • Waiting to remove contaminated clothing before activating the shower. Start flushing promptly, then remove contaminated clothing while the water runs.
      

  • Skipping safety equipment maintenance: If the eyewash station or emergency shower isn’t working when needed, it’s useless. Perform weekly checks and clear obstructions so they’re ready for immediate use.

  • Assuming medical help isn’t needed: Just because you feel better doesn’t mean you're fine. Some injuries develop over time. After using an emergency eyewash or safety shower, always seek medical attention to rule out hidden damage or lingering chemicals.

 

Helping Others: Dos and Don’ts

When assisting someone exposed to hazardous chemicals, it’s important to act quickly and correctly. Here are key dos and don’ts to follow when helping others use an eyewash station or safety shower:

Importance of Proper Training for Eyewash Station Usage

The earlier incident involving the lab technician who quickly used the eyewash station highlights why training matters. Their immediate reaction showed why workers need to know the station’s location and how to activate it before an exposure happens. That kind of response doesn’t happen by chance, it comes from preparation.

Who should be trained?

• • All employees who handle or work near hazardous chemicals

  • Supervisors and safety officers

  • First responders or on-site medical staff

  • Maintenance personnel (so they can inspect and test equipment properly)

How often should training be done?

• • Upon hiring: Every new employee should receive initial training before working in areas with chemical risks.

  • Annually: Consider a hands-on refresher at least once a year, or follow the interval in your workplace training program.

  • After changes: If new chemicals, procedures, or equipment are introduced, retraining should happen immediately.

  • After incidents: If there is an accident or misuse, hold a follow-up training to review and reinforce correct procedures.

Regular, hands-on practice using emergency eyewash and safety shower equipment builds confidence and prepares staff for real emergencies.

One thing I ask workers to practice is locating the nearest eyewash from their normal work area and activating it without hesitation. In an exposure, those actions should already be familiar; the time to work them out is during training.

FAQs

Which item is used to flush hazardous substances out of your eyes?

An eyewash station is the primary equipment used to rinse chemicals, debris, or other harmful substances from the eyes. It provides a controlled flow of water to reduce further irritation or injury during an emergency.

What is the minimum flow for an eyewash or eye/face wash?

Under ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 an eyewash must deliver at least 0.4 gallons per minute (GPM) for 15 minutes. An eye/face wash has a higher minimum flow of 3.0 GPM for 15 minutes. Check the installed equipment against its manufacturer’s instructions and the applicable standard.

What to do if you wear contact lenses?

Start flushing your eyes immediately and remove contact lenses as soon as practical while irrigation continues. Do not delay irrigation to remove the lenses first.

What to do if you wear makeup?

Begin rinsing your eyes immediately, even if you’re wearing makeup, because chemical exposure is the priority. Makeup will naturally wash away during the rinse and should not interfere with the flushing process.

In case of a chemical splash to the eyes, how long should you rinse your eyes in an eyewash station?

Start rinsing immediately and continue for at least 15 minutes. Some chemicals require longer irrigation, so follow the SDS and medical guidance; do not stop early simply because symptoms improve.

How often should safety showers be flushed?

Plumbed emergency showers should be activated weekly for long enough to verify operation and flush stagnant water from the line. Self-contained units follow the manufacturer’s inspection and fluid-maintenance schedule. All emergency eyewash and shower equipment should also receive an annual inspection.