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.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 2,000 U.S. workers sustain job-related eye injuries daily, and approximately 10 to 20% of these incidents result in temporary or permanent vision loss, emphasizing the need for preparedness.

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.

• Remove contact lenses early in the flushing process, as they can trap chemicals.

• 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.

Eyewash Station and Emergency Shower Requirements

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151(c) mandates that workplaces with exposure to corrosive materials provide “suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body.” The American National Standard Institute or ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 standard provides detailed specifications:

State-specific regulations may impose additional requirements, so consult local occupational health and safety agencies for compliance.

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)

Once flushing is complete, consult the workplace’s safety data sheet to quickly identify the chemical or substance involved. This is typically available in your department's safety binder or digital system. 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 eyewash stations, such as a gravity-fed eyewash, are self-contained units that provide a limited source of flushing fluid for eye irrigation in areas where plumbed eyewash stations are not available. 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. Some portable units might require refilling during the process.

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, and regularly when not in use, check the portable eyewash station for cleanliness and refill the flushing fluid if necessary.

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, grab the nearest eyewash bottle immediately. Don’t waste time getting to a plumbed station if the bottle is closer.

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. Rinse the eye for several minutes or until you reach a plumbed eyewash station. While eye wash bottles do not provide the same volume of fluid as a station, aim to use the entire contents of the bottle to ensure thorough flushing.

5. After using the eye wash bottle, proceed to a full emergency eye wash station as soon as possible for extended flushing. Continue to rinse the eye for at least 15 minutes in total, including the time spent using the bottle.

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 your entire body, including your face and eyes, if exposed. It is important to use a large volume of water to thoroughly flush and dilute any chemicals on the body. Rotate and move around under the shower to ensure that all affected areas are thoroughly washed. Avoid using towels or rubbing the skin; just keep flushing. Outdoor emergency showers have a thermostatic mixing valve to maintain this safe temperature range.

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. Always flush the affected area for at least 15 minutes to remove all traces of the chemical.

  • 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.

    • Not removing contaminated clothing before stepping into the emergency shower.

  • 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 and correct use of the safety equipment helped prevent serious injury and further harm. 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: Refresher courses should be conducted at least once a year to keep knowledge current.

  • 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.

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 sufficient water flow for an eyewash/facewash station?

The ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 standard requires the eyewash/facewash station to have a minimum flow of 0.4 gallons per minute (GPM) for 15 minutes. This ensures a gentle but continuous flow that can effectively flush contaminants without causing additional eye damage.

What to do if you wear contact lenses?

Start flushing your eyes right away, and remove contact lenses as soon as possible while the water is running. Do not delay flushing to take them out first, as chemicals can become trapped under the lenses and worsen the injury.

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?

You must rinse your eyes for at least 15 continuous minutes to thoroughly remove any chemical residues. Shorter rinsing times can leave behind harmful substances that may cause ongoing damage.

How often should safety showers be flushed?

Emergency showers should be flushed once a week to confirm proper operation and to remove stagnant water that could contain rust, bacteria, or other contaminants. Regular flushing helps ensure the shower is ready and safe to use during an emergency.