Accidents happen in laboratories—whether it's a chemical spill, splash, or accidental exposure. In the event of skin or eye contact with hazardous materials, safety showers and emergency eye wash stations are critical to minimizing injury and preventing long-term damage. However, proper placement, maintenance, and training must already be in place—there’s no time to think when an emergency strikes.

The ANSI Standard for Safety Showers and Eye Washes

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z358.1 is the most widely recognized guideline for the location, operation, installation, and testing of safety showers and eye wash stations. Adherence to this standard helps laboratories meet safety regulations and ensure effective emergency response.

For further guidance, laboratories should also consult their industrial hygienist or safety officer to tailor safety shower and eye wash implementation to their specific hazards.

Definitions: Safety Shower vs. Eye Wash

What Is a Safety Shower?

A safety shower is designed to cascade water over the entire body. This full-body rinse is essential when larger areas of skin are exposed to hazardous chemicals.

What Is an Eye Wash Station?

An eye wash station flushes and irrigates only the eyes. It is not designed to rinse the entire body.

What Is a Hand-Held Drench Hose?

A drench hose combines the features of both a safety shower and an eye wash station. It consists of a flexible hose connected to a water supply and can flush the eyes, face, or body, although not all at once.

Common Types of Safety Showers and Eye Wash Stations

Safety Showers

Ceiling-Mounted Safety Showers

Ceiling-mounted safety showers are installed directly overhead to provide rapid full-body rinsing in the event of chemical exposure. These units are typically activated using a chain or lever, allowing users to quickly start the water flow without needing to locate complicated controls. Ceiling-mounted showers are particularly useful in open lab spaces where floor clearance and broad coverage are essential for effective emergency response.

Floor-Mounted Combination Safety Showers

Floor-mounted combination safety showers integrate multiple safety functions into a single unit, combining a full-body safety shower with an eye wash station and, in some cases, a hand-held drench hose. These combination units are ideal for laboratories with limited space that still require versatile emergency response options. Their floor-mounted design ensures they are always accessible, and their multipurpose capability enhances safety preparedness.

Deck-Mounted Drench Hoses

Deck-mounted drench hoses are installed directly on laboratory benches, providing a convenient and flexible option for spot decontamination. These hoses are hand-held and activated via a squeeze handle, allowing users to direct water flow precisely where needed. While not suitable for full-body rinsing, they are highly effective for washing off small spills, splashes, or localized contamination on hands, arms, or equipment. While not suitable for full-body rinsing, they are highly effective for washing off small spills, splashes, or localized contamination on hands, arms, or equipment.

Eye Wash Stations

Gravity-Feed, Self-Contained Eye Wash Stations

Gravity-feed, self-contained eye wash stations are stand-alone units with pre-filled water tanks, making them ideal for areas without direct plumbing access. These stations provide immediate emergency eye irrigation in remote or temporary lab setups. They are particularly useful in field labs, temporary research stations, or locations where plumbing is unreliable.

Faucet-Mounted Eye Wash Stations

Faucet-mounted eye wash stations are designed to convert a standard laboratory faucet into an emergency eye wash station. When activated, they provide a continuous stream of water, freeing the user’s hands to hold their eyelids open for thorough flushing. These units are easy to install and a cost-effective way to enhance lab safety in smaller workspaces.

Laboratory Bench Eye Wash Stations

Laboratory bench eye washes are compact, bench-mounted units with a squeeze handle that activates dual water streams to flush the eyes. These stations are installed directly at workstations, ensuring they are instantly accessible if exposure occurs while handling hazardous chemicals.

Swivel Eye Wash Stations

Swivel eye wash stations mount adjacent to laboratory sinks and can rotate into position over the sink basin when needed. This design allows them to remain conveniently out of the way during normal lab activities, while ensuring rapid accessibility during emergencies. Their swiveling mechanism makes them ideal for shared workspaces with limited counter space.

Bowl-Mounted Eye Wash Stations

Bowl-mounted eye wash stations are permanently plumbed and freestanding, with a dedicated bowl to contain water during use. These stations are often directly connected to floor drains or sewer systems, allowing for continuous water flow during extended eye flushing. The freestanding design provides stability, while the dedicated drain ensures easy maintenance and frequent testing.

Basic Requirements for Safety Showers and Eye Wash Stations

Safety Showers

Safety showers must be capable of delivering at least 0.4 gallons of water per minute for a minimum duration of 15 minutes to ensure thorough decontamination. Outlet heads should be protected with float-off dust covers to prevent contamination when not in use. The water flow must be controlled and low velocity to avoid further injury to affected areas.

The valve actuator should be large and easily visible, allowing rapid activation even under stress. Safety showers must feature a stay-open valve that remains on once activated, ensuring users are not forced to hold the valve open during decontamination. The system should be connected to an uninterruptible water supply capable of delivering at least 30 PSI for the full duration of the shower.

Eye Wash Stations

Eye wash stations must have outlet heads positioned between 33 inches and 45 inches above the floor, ensuring they are easily accessible for users of varying heights. Each station should be placed at least 6 inches away from any wall or obstruction, providing adequate space for users to position themselves comfortably.

To ensure quick identification, eye wash stations must be clearly marked with highly visible signage, and the surrounding area must be well-lit to facilitate rapid response during emergencies. Eye wash stations should be located within 10 seconds (approximately 55 feet) of potential hazards.

Employees must receive thorough training on the proper use of eye wash stations, and units should be tested weekly to ensure they are functioning properly. Routine cleaning and maintenance should also be conducted to prevent contamination and ensure reliable operation.

Placement and Accessibility

Time and Distance Matters

ANSI requires that safety showers and eye wash stations be located within 10 seconds of potential hazards. This typically translates to around 55 feet in a standard laboratory. The path to the station should be clear of obstructions to ensure immediate access during emergencies.

Clear Signage and Lighting

Clearly mark all emergency stations with highly visible signage. Maintain adequate lighting around the units to make them easy to locate even under stressful conditions.

Employee Training and Awareness

Safety equipment is only useful if employees know how and when to use it. Effective training should include:

• Location of all safety showers and eye wash stations.
• Demonstrations on proper activation and use.
• Instructions on how to assist injured colleagues.
• Regular drills to reinforce response procedures.

Maintenance and Testing Requirements

• Test eye wash stations weekly to ensure proper function and clear water flow.
• Document all tests and maintenance activities to demonstrate compliance.
• Ensure water temperature is tepid (60-100°F) to avoid additional injury during use.
• Regularly inspect for clogs, leaks, or damage.

Final Thoughts

Safety showers and eye wash stations are vital components of laboratory safety, but they are only effective if properly placed, maintained, and understood by all employees. Following ANSI Z358.1 standards and implementing regular training and maintenance ensures that laboratories are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively when accidents occur.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How often should safety showers and eye wash stations be tested?

ANSI standards recommend weekly activation tests to ensure proper operation and flushing of stagnant water. Annual inspections should also be performed.

2. Can eye wash stations be installed at any sink?

Faucet-mounted eye wash stations are a practical option for some labs, but they must meet ANSI Z358.1 flow and positioning requirements to be considered compliant.

3. Are portable eye wash stations effective?

Yes, gravity-fed portable eye wash stations are effective in areas without plumbed water access, provided they meet flow and duration requirements.

4. How close should a safety shower or eye wash station be to a hazard?

Emergency equipment should be within 10 seconds (approximately 55 feet) of a potential hazard, with clear, unobstructed access.