Verify emergency eyewash and shower specs using four official sources by checking the 8 points against cited rules.
Key takeaways for how to verify emergency eyewash and shower station specs on a construction site
- Keep the area around eyewash and shower equipment free of items that obstruct their use, according to the California Division of Industrial Relations.
- If both an eyewash and shower are needed, locate them so one person can use both at the same time, according to the California Division of Industrial Relations.
- Personal eyewash units must deliver potable water or an eye-flushing solution approved by the consulting physician, according to the California Division of Industrial Relations.
- Long flushing with cold water below 16°C (60°F) can cause hypothermia and may result in not rinsing for the full recommended time, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
- Units must provide flushing liquid for at least 15 minutes, have accessible access, and deliver tepid flushing fluid, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
Verify emergency eyewash and shower specs using four official sources
Cornell Legal Information Institute states that adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available according to Cornell Legal Information Institute. Read First-aid checks: 4 rules before the crew starts before the crew arrives. This rule appears in 29 CFR § 1910.151 - Medical services and first aid according to Cornell Legal Information Institute. The 8 inspection points are: 1 clearance; 2 simultaneous use; 3 water quality; 4 flushing duration; 5 activation time; 6 flow rate; 7 temperature; 8 access distance. Verify each point against the specific source that states the rule. Record the source for each point in your daily log.
A filled reference table of emergency washing requirements
The following table lists five of the inspection points for your pre-arrival check. Each row identifies the requirement and the publisher that states it. Use this reference to verify that your site's emergency washing equipment meets the cited standards before the crew arrives.
| Point | Requirement | Publisher | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearance | The area of the eyewash and shower equipment shall be maintained free of items which obstruct their use. | California Division of Industrial Relations | California Division of Industrial Relations |
| Simultaneous use | If both an eyewash and shower are needed, they shall be located so that both can be used at the same time by one person. | California Division of Industrial Relations | California Division of Industrial Relations |
| Water quality | Personal eyewash units shall deliver potable water or other eye-flushing solution approved by the consulting physician. | California Division of Industrial Relations | California Division of Industrial Relations |
| Flushing duration | The unit's ability to provide flushing liquid for at least 15 minutes. | Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety | Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety |
| Temperature | Long flushing times with cold water (less than 16°C (60°F)) can cause hypothermia. | Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety | Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety |
Regarding water quality, personal eyewash units shall deliver potable water or other eye-flushing solution approved by the consulting physician, according to California Division of Industrial Relations. The Washington State Legislature also requires providing the quality and quantity of water that is satisfactory for emergency washing purposes, according to Washington State Legislature. A related page is Jobsite toilets and drinking water: 5 pages.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety notes that long flushing times with cold water (less than 16°C (60°F)) can cause hypothermia, according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
Understanding flushing time rules and their application
Emergency washing equipment must meet specific performance criteria to protect workers on your site. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety states that similar requirements apply as with the plumbed units regarding the unit's ability to provide flushing liquid for at least 15 minutes, accessible access, and to deliver tepid flushing fluid, according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. When verifying your site's equipment, confirm that the unit can sustain this flow duration without running dry.
The source notes that it can be beneficial to rinse eyes exposed to toxic chemicals immediately and with a copious amount of tap water for at least 15 minutes or until advanced medical care arrives, according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. This guidance highlights the critical window for initial treatment before professional medical intervention is available. Your inspection should verify that the water temperature remains tepid throughout this period, because cold water below 16°C (60°F) can cause hypothermia and may cut short rinsing or showering.
To apply these standards, check the unit's capacity and water supply connections. Ensure the equipment is not obstructed and that the activation mechanism is functional. The requirement for accessible access means the station must be reachable without barriers or complex navigation steps. Document the water temperature and flow duration during your daily checks to ensure compliance with these performance benchmarks. If the unit cannot maintain a 15-minute supply of tepid water, it does not meet the specified safety requirements for emergency response.
Checking flow rates, temperature, and activation mechanisms
Verify the water delivery rate for your combination units before the crew arrives. The combination eye and face wash stations require 11.4 litres each minute (3.0 gallons each minute), according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Record this specific flow rate in your inspection log to confirm the station meets the stated requirement. Do not assume a standard tap connection provides this volume without a direct measurement.
Check the water temperature against the cold water risk threshold. Long flushing times with cold water (less than 16°C (60°F)) can cause hypothermia and may result in not rinsing or showering for the full recommended time (ANSI 2014), according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. If your site water supply drops below this temperature, the flushing duration may be compromised because the worker stops early. Verify the water source temperature during your daily check.
Test the activation mechanism to ensure rapid and hands-free operation. The shower should also be designed so that it can be activated in less than 1 second and it remains operational without the operator's hand on the valve (or lever or handle), according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Time the activation with a stopwatch during your pre-arrival inspection. If the unit requires holding the lever to stay on, it fails the hands-free operational requirement. Replace or repair any station that does not activate in under one second or that stops when the operator releases the handle.
Measure the time it takes to activate your site's emergency shower and verify it is under one second, then log the result in your daily safety record.
Placement, accessibility, and water quality considerations
Clearance around the equipment is the first physical check. The California Division of Industrial Relations states that the area of the eyewash and shower equipment shall be maintained free of items which obstruct their use, according to California Division of Industrial Relations. When you walk the site before the crew arrives, look for stored materials, debris, or temporary fencing that blocks the path to the unit. If a pallet of lumber sits against the shower base, the station fails this clearance requirement. Move the obstruction and verify the path is open.
Layout matters when a single worker needs both units. If both an eyewash and shower are needed, they shall be located so that both can be used at the same time by one person, according to California Division of Industrial Relations. This rule applies when the hazard requires immediate eye flushing followed by full-body rinsing. If the shower is on the far side of a wall from the eyewash, a worker cannot activate both simultaneously. Check the spatial relationship between the two units during your inspection. If they are separated by a barrier or a long walk, the layout does not meet the simultaneous use standard.
Access distance is often misunderstood as a fixed walking time. ANSI notes that the average person can walk 16 to 17 metres (55 feet) in 10 seconds, but this does not account for the physical and emotional state of the person in an emergency, according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Do not assume that a 10-second walk is safe for every employee. A worker who is disoriented, injured, or wearing heavy protective gear may move slower than the average. The 55-foot figure is a benchmark for average conditions, not a guarantee of safe access for all personnel. When placing stations, consider the worst-case scenario for worker mobility and mental state.
Water quality is a specific requirement for personal eyewash units. Personal eyewash units shall deliver potable water or other eye-flushing solution approved by the consulting physician, according to California Division of Industrial Relations. Verify the water source for any portable unit on your site. If the unit uses a sealed container, check the expiration date and the solution type against the physician's approval. For a personal eyewash unit, use potable water or an eye-flushing solution approved by the consulting physician.
How to record the eight inspection points on your walk
Record the eight inspection points during your pre-arrival walk.
Illustrative example of one pre-arrival walk
A crew lead finds one eyewash and one shower with a clear path. The shower starts in less than 1 second and stays on with no hand on the handle. Flushing fluid is ready for 15 minutes. Water is above 16°C (60°F). The units are 55 feet away, near a 10-second walk of 16 to 17 metres. The personal eyewash holds potable water. The lead logs all 8 points. These figures are illustrative.
Today, clear the eyewash and shower path and write all 8 points in your daily log.
FAQ: How to verify emergency eyewash and shower station specs on a construction site
How long must an emergency eyewash station deliver flushing fluid?
The unit must provide flushing liquid for at least 15 minutes, according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. This requirement applies to the unit's ability to deliver tepid flushing fluid with accessible access.
What is the minimum flow rate for a combination eye and face wash station?
Combination eye and face wash stations require 11.4 litres each minute (3.0 gallons each minute), according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Verify your specific equipment against this rate during your pre-arrival inspection.
Can cold water be used for emergency flushing without risk?
Long flushing times with water less than 16°C (60°F) can cause hypothermia, according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. This condition may result in the person not rinsing or showering for the full recommended time. Check your local water temperature against this threshold before relying on the station.
How far can an employee walk to reach an emergency station in an emergency?
ANSI notes that the average person can walk 16 to 17 metres (55 feet) in 10 seconds, according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. This metric does not account for the physical and emotional state of the person in an emergency. Do not assume a 10-second walk time is safe for all employees.
What should be kept clear around the eyewash and shower equipment?
The area of the eyewash and shower equipment shall be maintained free of items which obstruct their use, according to California Division of Industrial Relations. Remove any stored materials or debris from the immediate vicinity before the crew arrives.