• If injurious corrosive materials are present and onsite and employees may be exposed, then an emergency eyewash and/or shower is required.
• OSHA expects the employer to determine the level of potential risk to employees and provide protection accordingly.
• Whether an emergency shower is needed in addition to an eyewash is dependent upon several factors, including what the SDS says about eye vs. bodily injury.

When is an eyewash and/or shower required?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) eyewash/shower requirement at 1910.151(c) states, “Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.” [bold emphasis added]

OSHA further addresses this issue in a Letter of Interpretation dated April 14, 2008, which says, “the employer must determine if employees can or will be exposed during the course of their duties to hazardous materials in such a way that the protections of an eyewash or emergency shower would be necessary. If hazardous materials are present at a worksite in such a way that exposure could not occur (for example, in sealed containers that will not be opened, or caustic materials in building piping), then an eyewash or emergency shower would not be necessary. However, if the building piping containing caustic materials has, at certain locations, a spigot or tap from which the contents are to be sampled or withdrawn and employees are expected to perform such tasks, then, certainly, an eyewash and/or emergency shower would be needed where this task is to occur.”

Ask:

1. Are injurious corrosive materials present on-site? (Refer to the SDS for guidance.)
2. Are employees exposed?

If the answer to both of these questions is ‘yes,’ then an emergency eyewash and/or shower is required. If the answer is ‘no’ to either of these questions, then a unit would not need to be provided.

Ultimately, OSHA expects the employer to determine the level of potential risk to employees and provide protection accordingly.

When is an emergency shower required as opposed to just an eyewash?

Whether an emergency shower is needed in addition to an eyewash is dependent upon several factors, including what the SDS says about eye vs. bodily injury. The need for one or the other is sometimes specified. Also, what is the possibility that the chemical could splash or spill onto the employee’s body vs. just the eyes? How much chemical are employees being exposed to, etc.? These are all questions employers need to ask during a hazard assessment. Based on the answers, an employer then must decide what the level of exposure and risk is and provide the necessary protection accordingly.

Should an eyewash be made available to remove metal fragments, wood chips, etc.?

OSHA says that eyewashes (and showers) are intended to be used for strong acids and alkalis. That doesn’t mean, however, that they wouldn’t be useful under other circumstances. In these cases, employers should consult with a medical professional regarding the best course of treatment when workers are exposed to potential eye hazards.

Is an eyewash or shower required for small amounts of corrosive chemicals?

The OSHA standard requires that an emergency eyewash or shower be provided if the eyes or body is exposed to any amount of injurious corrosive material.