Emergency showers and eyewashes are required by the ANSI/ISEA Z358.1‐2014 standard to be

activated weekly, with a more thorough evaluation on an annual basis. With OSHA fine

increases of 80 percent having taken effect in August 2016, violations for inappropriate or

inadequate eyewash and shower equipment have resulted in penalties of more than $100,000.

The standard guides the placement, functionality, and maintenance requirements for

emergency showers and eyewashes. ANSI/ISEA Z358.1, in its current form, is the clearest and

most useful tool for protecting workers from eye, face, and bodily injuries resulting from caustic

and corrosive materials introduced by workplace incidents such as spills, splashes, and blown

particulates.

The standard requires stringent testing to be conducted on a regular basis to ensure properly

functioning equipment is being provided at all times if an incident were to occur. We should all

understand that compliance is not a once‐a‐year or once‐a‐month responsibility. Compliance is

an all‐day, every‐day requirement. Accordingly, emergency showers and eyewashes are

required by the ANSI/ISEA Z358.1‐2014 standard to be activated weekly, with a more thorough

evaluation on an annual basis. This requirement is established in Sections including 4.6.2, 4.6.5.

In practice, emergency response equipment such as eyewashes and showers sometimes fall to

the wayside when it comes to maintenance, especially when prioritized against emergency

preparedness equipment such as eye protection and fall protection. You should know that OSHA

does not prioritize or take a backseat when it comes to providing adequate and properly

functioning equipment, regardless whether the equipment aids pre‐ or post‐incident.

ANSI Weekly Minimum Performance Requirements

The standard itself has three minimum requirements for weekly inspections:

1. Emergency equipment shall be activated weekly. (Each piece of equipment is required to

be activated.)

2. Activation shall ensure flow of water to the head(s) of the device. (This would be both the

eyewash or eye/face wash head, as well as the showerhead.)

3. Duration of the activation shall be sufficient to ensure all stagnant water is flushed from

the unit itself and all sections of piping that do not form part of a constant circulation

system, also known as "dead leg" portions. (The duration is determined by the length of

piping where stagnant water could be sitting before it reaches the head(s) of the unit.)

In addition to the above weekly minimum performance checklist required by ANSI/ISEA, it

is recommended as a best practice to conduct additional weekly functional checks. The purpose

of these additional checks is to fully ensure the equipment is operating correctly and is capable

of providing proper first aid in the event of an emergency.

ACCESS

 Path of travel to the safety station shall be free of obstructions. (This could include hoses,

boxes, and doors.) (Sections 4.5.2, 5.4.2, 6.4.2, 7.4.2)

SHOWER

 Shower must deliver a minimum of 20 gallons (75.7 L) per minute. (Sec. 4.1.2, 4.1.4, 7.1)

 The valve shall go from “off” to “on” in one second or less and flushing fluid shall remain

on without the use of operator’s hands. (Sec. 4.2, 7.1)

EYEWASH/EYE/FACE WASH

 Outlets shall be protected from airborne contaminants. (Dust covers must be in place.)

(Sec. 5.1.3, 6.1.3, 7.1)

 The valve shall go from “off” to “on” in one second or less and flushing fluid shall remain

on without the use of operator’s hands. (Sec. 5.2, 6.2, 7.2)

 The flushing fluid of an eyewash or eye/face wash shall cover the areas between the

interior and exterior lines of a gauge at some point less than 8 inches (20.3 cm) above the

eyewash nozzle. (sec 5.1.8, 6.1.8,7.1)

 Must provide a means of a controlled flow to both eyes simultaneously at a velocity low

enough to be non‐injurious. (Sec. 5.1.1, 6.1.1, 7.1)

COMBINATION UNIT

 Combination unit components shall be capable of operating simultaneously. (When the

eyewash or eye/face wash is activated, and then the shower is activated, there should be

no “starvation” occurring to either of the heads.) (Sec. 7.3, 7.4.4)

TEMPERATURE

 Deliver tepid flushing fluid. (The required temperature range is 60°F ‐ 100°F [16°C ‐

38°C])(Sec. 4.5.6, 5.4.6, 6.4.6, 7.4.5)

Plumbed Shower and Eyewash Equipment

As a general statement, all equipment needs to be inspected weekly to ensure that there is a

flushing fluid supply and that the equipment is in good repair. If the equipment is of a plumbed

design, then it should also be activated weekly to clear the supply line of any sediment

buildup and to minimize any microbial contamination due to stagnant water.

Self‐Contained Eyewash and Shower Equipment

Self‐contained, also often referred to as "portable," emergency response equipment is typically

used in locations where there is either no access to water or at highly mobile sites where

hazards are mobile. The ANSI/ISEA requirement for this type of equipment is to be visually

inspected weekly to determine whether the flushing fluid needs to be exchanged or

supplemented (Sections 4.6.3 and others). The units should be maintained as per the

manufacturer’s specific model instructions.

A majority of self‐contained units that use potable water also offer a sterile bacteriostatic

additive option to prevent the water from growing bacteria. An exchange of the water and refill

of the additive is required every three months for most additive products, as well as rinsing the

unit clean between the exchanges. If an additive is not being used, then the water should be

exchanged on a weekly basis, at a minimum, with a thorough tank cleaning monthly. On an

annual basis, self‐contained units are required to undergo the full test just as plumbed units do.

The question is often asked whether a company must hire a certified tester to conduct the

weekly and annual inspections. Fortunately, there are no prerequisite or certification

requirements to be able to test the equipment, although having a complete understanding of

the installation and performance requirements will aid in ensuring conformance. There are

various training tools, including Online Competent Inspector Training, offered by equipment

manufacturers and others for individuals to become subject‐matter experts. This allows

company personnel to get familiar with what to look for and how to conduct the tests

appropriately. Many companies today opt to have an outside third‐party inspection performed

for them annually, which provides an added measure of credibility and assurance to the review

process.

Facilities that contain hundreds of shower and eyewash units should strive to create as many

subject‐matter experts as possible. Once trained, the weekly checks can be completed rather

quickly. Creating facility maps, having full testing kits available, and holding recurring training

classes can assist in the tedious yet crucial weekly task.

Worker protection should be a priority in every safety plan. Simply providing emergency

showers and eyewashes is not enough. It is necessary to inspect, test, and monitor equipment

readiness and performance for the optimal response.

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