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OSHA Safety Shower Requirements

According to 29CFR 1910.151, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires safety showers in work environments “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” The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each product indicates if the materials are corrosive.

  1. Asbestos Decontamination

    • Since it was determined to be hazardous, asbestos removal programs have been underway to eliminate this threat. A shower area between the work zone and a clean room is required for the work crews tasked for removal operations. If it is not possible to place a shower area adjacent to the work zone, employers will supply a HEPA filter vacuum system to remove asbestos fibers from the worker’s protective suit. The worker then goes to the clean room to change out of the protective gear.

    Dipping and Coating

    • According to 29 CFR 1910.124, an emergency shower is required close to dipping operations. These operations include placing large pieces of metal into a tank of caustic fluid, such as sulfuric or boric acid, using a lift system. Workers are exposed to the splash and rinse spray from the tanks when materials are lowered in and raised out.

    Medical

    • Medical personnel can be exposed to contaminants such as blood and airborne diseases on a regular basis. Decontamination procedures are a major part of safety plans that include both patients and health care workers. Safety showers provide the best method of decontamination. Depending on the substance exposed to, showers can just include warm water and soap, while others require a mild chemical decontaminate.

    Hazardous Waste Operations

    • Everywhere hazardous materials are used, there are workers to clean up the waste. These workers wear personal protective equipment (PPE), many times including protective body suits, boots, and gloves. If the hazardous waste penetrates the PPE through a tear or rip, the worker must remove the contaminated clothing and shower. At the end of the work day, workers go through a shower to decontaminate their protective gear before removing it.

    Nuclear, Biological and Chemical

    • Workers exposed to nuclear, biological or chemical contaminates are required to be decontaminated as soon as possible. A shower is at the heart of a decontamination station. If workers are uninjured, and their PPE is intact, they walk into the shower facility for several minutes before removing it.

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