Standards applicable to eyewash and show equipment. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

June 21, 1993

Mr. Christopher J. Bollas
National Accounts Manager
Encon Safety Products
P.O. Box 3826
Houston, Texas 77253

Dear Mr. Bollas:

Thank you for your inquiries of March 8, addressed to the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offices at 148 International Boulevard, N.E., Suite 600, Atlanta, Georgia, 1375 Peachtree Street N.E. Suite 578, Atlanta, Georgia; 230 S. Dearborn Street, Room 3244, Chicago, Illinois; 133 Portland Street, First Floor, Boston, Massachusetts; and Gateway Building, Suite 2100, 3535 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, requesting OSHA enforcement criteria applied to employers who are required to provide eyewash and shower equipment in workplaces where employees may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials.

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSHA Act requires that each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Since OSHA requires suitable facilities for quick drenching and flushing of the eyes and body for emergency use in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.151(c), and since the national consensus standard ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Z 358.1- 1990 provides details on emergency eyewash and shower equipment, both standards are referenced by OSHA compliance personnel when assessing safety and health conditions related to eyewash and shower equipment.

We appreciate your interest in employee safety and health. If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Roger A. Clark, Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

June 21, 1993

MEMORANDUM FOR:     R. DAVIS LAYNE,
                    REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR REGION IV
                    JOHN B. MILES, JR,
                    REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR REGION I
                    LINDA R. ANKU, REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR REGION III
                    SANDRA TAYLOR, DEPUTY REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR REGION V

FROM:               ROGER A. CLARK, DIRECTOR
                    DIRECTORATE OF COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS

SUBJECT:            Standards Applicable to Eyewash and Shower Equipment

This is in response to your memorandum of April 6, in which you request enforcement criteria used by OSHA when eyewash and shower equipment is required for emergency use where the eyes or body of any employee may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials.

Our response to Mr. Bollas is attached.

Attachment