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Home›Courses›Hazardous Materials & HAZWOPER›Chemical Hazards: Eye Washing and Emergency Showers

Chemical Hazards: Eye Washing and Emergency Showers

22 minutesEN / ES / MLCCHazardous Materials & HAZWOPER29 CFR 1910.151(c) / ANSI Z358.1
Quick Answer

Chemical Hazards: Eye Washing and Emergency Showers is a 22-minute online course that trains employees on the proper use, testing, and maintenance of emergency eyewash stations and safety showers as required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151(c) and guided by ANSI Z358.1. It is designed for workers in any industry where eyes or body may be exposed to corrosive materials, and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.151(c) requires employers to provide suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body wherever employees may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials. ANSI Z358.1, which OSHA references as consensus guidance, sets specific requirements for equipment flow rates, placement within 10 seconds of travel, and weekly activation testing. Studies show that 88% of safety showers and eyewash stations fail to meet ANSI Z358.1 requirements during inspections, primarily due to inadequate flow rates and improper maintenance.

This course trains your employees on when and where emergency eyewash stations and safety showers are required, how each type of equipment operates, and the minimum compliance standards for installation, testing, and maintenance. Your team will learn about the different classes of chemical hazards that trigger these requirements, proper flushing procedures for eye and body exposure, and the recordkeeping needed to demonstrate compliance during an OSHA inspection.

What You'll Learn

  • OSHA requirements under 29 CFR 1910.151(c) for emergency drenching and flushing facilities
  • ANSI Z358.1 consensus standards for eyewash and shower equipment installation and performance
  • Types of emergency equipment: plumbed eyewash stations, self-contained units, combination units, and drench hoses
  • The 10-second travel rule and proper equipment placement relative to chemical hazards
  • Weekly activation testing, monthly inspections, and annual certification requirements
  • Proper flushing procedures for chemical eye and body exposure
  • Equipment flow rate requirements: 0.4 GPM for eyewash, 20 GPM for safety showers

Who Needs This Training

  • Laboratory technicians and researchers working with corrosive chemicals
  • Manufacturing workers handling acids, bases, or caustic materials
  • Maintenance personnel responsible for testing and servicing emergency equipment
  • Chemical plant operators and process technicians
  • Safety managers overseeing emergency equipment compliance programs
  • Warehouse workers handling batteries, cleaning agents, or industrial chemicals

Regulatory Background

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151(c) states that where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use. While OSHA does not specify detailed equipment requirements, it references ANSI Z358.1 as consensus guidance through the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act). ANSI Z358.1-2014 requires eyewash stations to deliver 0.4 GPM and safety showers to deliver 20 GPM, with equipment accessible within 10 seconds of travel from the hazard. OSHA can cite employers under 1910.151(c) for serious violations at up to $16,550 per violation, or under the General Duty Clause for conditions that do not meet ANSI Z358.1 standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

ANSI Z358.1 requires plumbed eyewash stations and safety showers to be activated weekly to verify proper operation and flush the water supply lines. Self-contained units must be visually inspected weekly per manufacturer instructions. All equipment must receive a comprehensive annual inspection to verify compliance with ANSI Z358.1 performance requirements.
ANSI Z358.1 requires emergency eyewash and shower equipment to be located so that an injured worker can reach it within 10 seconds of travel from the hazard, which equates to approximately 55 feet. The equipment must be on the same level as the hazard with no obstructions in the travel path. For high-hazard chemicals such as strong acids and caustics, a medical professional should be consulted to determine if closer placement is needed.
ANSI Z358.1-2014 defines tepid water as between 60 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 38 degrees Celsius). Water that is too cold may cause hypothermia during the required 15-minute flushing period, while water that is too hot can accelerate chemical reactions with some substances. Employers must ensure their water supply meets this temperature range.
No. ANSI Z358.1 classifies personal eyewash devices as supplementary equipment only. They cannot replace plumbed or self-contained eyewash stations that meet full ANSI Z358.1 performance requirements. Personal devices may be used to begin immediate flushing while the employee moves to a compliant eyewash station.
OSHA has not formally adopted ANSI Z358.1 as a mandatory standard. However, 29 CFR 1910.151(c) requires suitable facilities for emergency drenching, and OSHA routinely references ANSI Z358.1 as consensus guidance when evaluating compliance. Employers who fail to meet ANSI Z358.1 requirements may be cited under the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act.

Related Courses

Employers who train workers on emergency eyewash and shower equipment often pair this course with Hazard Communication: GHS Safety Data Sheets and Hazard Communication: GHS Labeling Requirements to ensure employees can identify chemical hazards before an exposure occurs. Facilities with hazardous waste operations should also consider HAZWOPER Awareness: The Basics for broader regulatory coverage.

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$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95
Language

This course is available in English, Spanish, and Multi-Language CC at no additional charge.

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

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$24.95
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