Weekly Inspections for Emergency Eyewash and Eye/Face Wash Equipment

By Dan Carver
Jul 23, 2019
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Follow This Simple Checklist

According to ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2004, plumbed emergency eyewash and eye/face wash stations should be visually inspected and activated every week. Equipment requires annual servicing to ensure effective operation. Proper training covering the location and use of the eyewash is also vital during an emergency.

Helpful Hint: Portable, self-contained emergency eye wash equipment requires weekly visual inspection only

Justrite recommends using the weekly activation test record developed by Hughes Safety Showers, a Justrite Safety Group Company. You can download it here for your own record keeping. Do you know what to check for during weekly eyewash and face wash inspections? The following questions can help.

Is the path to the emergency eyewash station well-lit and obstacle-free?
Personnel sometimes leave equipment or tools nearby or in the direct path of an eyewash station, not realizing it could impede someone’s access in an emergency. If a chemical splash has already impaired a person’s vision, obstructions in the path of the eye wash could cause further injuries.
RELATED ARTICLE: Where Should You Place an Indoor Emergency Shower and Eyewash Station?
Is the eye/face wash clearly visible and demarcated?
Over time, labels and signs weather and may even fall off. Update and replace signs as necessary. Make sure there is enough light in the station’s area.
How is the flow and pressure of the water when activated?
Scale buildup in the nozzles or piping impedes the water supply. Test weekly to minimize this risk and identify potential problems such as low flow rates. ANSI requires emergency eye washes to deliver a flow of at least 1.5 liters/minute (.4 gallons/minute), for 15 minutes. Eye/face wash stations must flow at 11.4 liters/minute (3 gallons/minute). Correct any water supply issues immediately.
Is there dirt or rust in the water?
Tiny particles found in sediment, dirt or rust can cause further damage to the eye. Check water supply filters and flush the emergency eye wash equipment until all contaminants are out of the system.
Are there any electrical connections close to the eye wash or eye/face wash station?
Water and electricity don’t mix. Electrical outlets should be six feet away unless protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. Keep all electrical equipment at least three feet away from an emergency eye wash station.
SEE ALSO: Don’t Let Your Emergency Safety Shower Short Circuit
Does the supply valve remain open after activation?
ANSI specifies emergency eyewash stations should only switch off when the operator intentionally closes the valve. If the activation valve closes and stops the flow without this intervention, repair the system as soon as possible.
Are all employees properly trained in how to use emergency eye wash and eye/face wash equipment? Do they all know where it is located?
Any personnel that could be exposed to hazardous materials should be trained in how to use the eyewash equipment. Keep in mind, depending on the industry, some employees wear many hats. It can be difficult to keep everything straight, including how to operate emergency eyewash stations. Employees that work in multiple departments might even forget the location of the equipment in certain areas of the facility. Thus, regular, ongoing training on all safety equipment is critical. In addition to employee orientation training, offer regular training refreshers for existing employees. Have employees act out how to use the equipment during an eye injury situation. If unable to do so, evaluate and update current training procedures.
RELATED ARTICLE: Understanding the ANSI Z358 Standard for Emergency Eye Wash Equipment
Is the nozzle protection working as designed?
To prevent squirting dirt or dust into someone’s eyes on activation, ANSI requires all nozzles to be protected from airborne contaminants. Ensure the nozzle caps come off with water flow as designed. Request or perform maintenance if there is any malfunction of the nozzle protection.

Download and Print:
Weekly Activation Test Record
Eyewash and Eye/Face Wash Equipment Checklist for Weekly Inspections

Contact Justrite Today for Your Emergency Eyewash and Eye/Face Wash Equipment

Justrite proudly supplies Hughes Safety Showers, a leading supplier of emergency showers and eyewashes. Additionally, we offer free site surveys to help you evaluate your existing emergency equipment. Browse our range of eye wash and eye/face wash stations here or contact us for more information.

To set up a free STUD-E site survey for your facility, fill out this form.