

What does OSHA consider “suitable facilities” for safety wash stations?Īn eye wash flushing bottle may be considered a flushing facility So may a full-sized, plumbed shower. Then, according to OSHA, you do need to provide eye wash stations or similar equipment - which brings us to our next question. If corrosive materials are present, there’s a chance employees may be exposed to them. That’s the key question in determining whether OSHA requires eye wash stations at your facility. In one such standard interpretation, from 1994, the Administration explained that employers must provide these wash facilities in any workplace where “employees are exposed to injurious corrosive materials.” The Occupational Safety and Health Administration clarifies their standards in response to questions from industry operators. Standard 1926.50(g), for the construction industry, says the same thing using the exact same language. 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. Standard 1910.151(c), for general industry, states that: Note that most non-construction workplaces are regulated under OSHA’s standards for general industry, Part 1910 of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards. This answer comes from two OSHA standards, one for “general industry” and the other for the construction sector. The short answer is that, if harmful fluids substances pose a threat to your workers’ health, you do have to provide eye wash stations, safety showers, or similar equipment. Does OSHA require eye wash stations for my business?

Here’s what we discovered about OSHA eye wash station requirements, all in one convenient FAQ. We looked deep into OSHA’s documentation, from standards themselves to correspondence with business owners, to find answers to your most frequent questions on the topic. That’s led to a lot of questions about how, when, and where OSHA requires eye wash stations, safety showers, and other emergency flushing systems. Where they mention eye wash stations, standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are both remarkably clear and short on detail.
