Eye Wash Station Instructions

Emergency eye wash stations are located in areas where there is a risk of exposure to irritants or chemicals that could damage one's eyes. Common locations of eye wash stations include laboratories and factories.

It is crucial that a person's eyes be rinsed out immediately at an emergency eye wash station after coming into contact with a potentially dangerous irritant or chemical. Eye wash stations are specially designed to deliver a constant, low pressure stream of warm water directly to the eyes.

Preparing the Station for Use

• The caps that cover the faucets should be able to be removed quickly and easily; many eye wash stations allow these covers to come off when turning the water flow on. The water flow should be warm and not too high pressure. This is usually regulated by a valve attached to the unit.

  The person holds their eyes open and gently places both eyes over the faucets, one eye over each faucet. The water will directly touch the eyeballs, rinsing irritants and chemicals out.

Length of Rinsing Time

• The length of time that the eyes should be in direct contact with the water flow varies depending on the irritant or chemical that has gotten into the eye. A standard minimum of 5 minutes is recommended for mild irritations. For nonpenetrating corrosives, a minimum of 20 minutes is suggested, and for penetrating corrosives (chemicals that can go through the surface of the eye and surrounding areas), a minimum of 60 minutes is recommended.

  It is important that those who work around the emergency eyewash station are trained in its proper use and know the amount of rinsing time necessary based on the type of irritant or chemical. Therefore, those working around the station should be familiar with the chemicals used in the workplace and know which are penetrating and nonpenetrating.

  Acids are more easily rinsed out, while alkalis can be more damaging and require a longer rinsing time.

Keeping the Eyes in Contact with Rinse

• The person using the eye wash station should continue to hold his eyelids open with his fingers, being careful not to touch the eyeballs with the fingers. The eyes should remain in contact with the rinsing fluid for the entire rinsing time. It may feel unnatural to continue to hold the eyelids open while fluid is hitting the eyes, but it is necessary to make sure the chemicals are cleared from the eyes.