When a chemical splashes into a worker’s eye, you have seconds to act. Not minutes. Seconds. The difference between a minor incident and permanent vision loss often comes down to how quickly the eye can be flushed with sterile water. This is why eye wash stations are not optional extras in workplaces that handle hazardous substances. They are legal requirements and life-saving equipment.
Why Eye Wash Stations Are Non- Negotiable in the Workplace
The Risks of Chemical and Debris Exposure
Eyes are extremely vulnerable to chemical damage. Acids can cause burns within seconds. Alkalis can penetrate deep into the eye tissue and continue causing damage even after the initial exposure. Solvents can dissolve the protective layer of the eye. Particulate matter like dust, metal shavings, or glass can scratch the cornea and lead to infection.
The industries most at risk include manufacturing, mining, laboratories, automotive repair, construction, and any operation that handles chemicals, batteries, or hazardous materials. But even seemingly low-risk environments like cleaning services or food processing can have exposure risks from cleaning agents and sanitizers.
How Fast You Need to Act in an Eye Emergency
Medical guidelines are clear on this point. If a hazardous substance contacts the eye, flushing must begin within 10 to 15 seconds. Every second of delay increases the severity of the injury. This is why eye wash stations must be positioned close to hazard areas and must be immediately accessible without obstruction.
Running to a bathroom tap is not good enough. Trying to find a first aid kit is not good enough. The only acceptable response is an eye wash station that is right there, ready to use, the moment an incident occurs.
South African Regulations Around Eye Wash Stations
Occupational Health and Safety Act Requirements
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires employers to provide a safe working environment. This includes having appropriate first aid equipment available for the hazards present in the workplace. Where there is a risk of eye contamination from chemicals, dust, or other hazardous materials, an eye wash station is considered part of the minimum required equipment.
The General Safety Regulations under OHSA specifically address the need for emergency equipment in workplaces where hazardous substances are used. Failure to provide adequate eye wash facilities can result in penalties and, in the event of an injury, potential liability for the employer.
Industries That Must Have Eye Wash Stations
Any industry where workers may be exposed to substances that can harm the eyes must have eye wash facilities. This includes chemical manufacturing and processing, laboratories and research facilities, automotive and mechanical workshops, mining and mineral processing, construction sites, food and beverage processing, healthcare and pharmaceutical operations, and cleaning and sanitation services.
If your workplace uses, stores, or produces any substance that carries a warning about eye contact, you need an eye wash station.
Different Types of Eye Wash Stations
Wall Mounted Eye Wash Stations
Wall mounted units are fixed to a wall and connected to a water supply. They provide a continuous flow of water for flushing the eyes and are suitable for permanent installation in areas with consistent hazard exposure. These are common in laboratories, workshops, and chemical storage areas.
Free Standing Eye Wash Stations
Free standing units are self-contained and do not require connection to a water supply. They typically include a tank of sterile eye wash solution and a pump mechanism for delivering the fluid. These are ideal for locations where plumbing is not available or for temporary work sites.
Hand Operated vs Foot Operated Options
Hand operated stations require the user to push a lever or button to start the flow of water. Foot operated stations use a pedal, leaving the hands free to hold the eyelids open during flushing. Foot operated models are generally preferred because they allow for more effective flushing, but hand operated units are acceptable where foot operation is not practical.
Portable Eye Wash Kits
Portable kits are small, self-contained units that can be carried to the location of an incident. They typically contain bottles of sterile eye wash solution and are useful as a supplement to fixed stations. However, they should not be relied upon as the primary eye wash facility in high-risk areas because their capacity is limited.
Where to Install Eye Wash Stations
Distance From Hazardous Areas
International standards recommend that eye wash stations be located within 10 seconds travel time from any area where eye hazards exist. This translates to roughly 16 to 17 metres on a clear, unobstructed path. If the hazard is particularly severe, such as strong acids or alkalis, the station should be even closer.
Accessibility Requirements
The path to an eye wash station must be clear at all times. There should be no locked doors, no obstacles, and no stairs between the hazard area and the station. The station itself must be at an appropriate height for the users, typically between waist and shoulder height.
Signage and Visibility
Eye wash stations must be clearly marked with appropriate signage. In an emergency, a panicked worker needs to be able to locate the station instantly. Use high-visibility signs and ensure the station is not hidden behind equipment or in a corner.
How to Use an Eye Wash Station Correctly
Step by Step Response to an Eye Emergency
The first step is to get to the eye wash station immediately. Do not waste time trying to identify the substance or assess the injury. Seconds count.
Activate the station using the hand lever or foot pedal. Position your face in the stream of water with your eyes open. Use your fingers to hold your eyelids apart so that the water can reach all parts of the eye. Roll your eyes around to ensure the water flushes under the lids and into the corners.
How Long to Flush the Eyes
The minimum flushing time for most chemical exposures is 15 minutes. For strong acids or alkalis, flushing should continue for 20 minutes or longer. Do not stop early, even if the pain subsides. The goal is to dilute and remove the contaminant completely.
After flushing, seek medical attention even if the eye feels better. Some chemicals cause delayed damage that may not be immediately apparent.
Maintaining Your Eye Wash Stations
Weekly and Monthly Inspection Checklists
Eye wash stations must be inspected regularly to ensure they are functional when needed. Weekly checks should confirm that the station is accessible, the activation mechanism works, and water flows properly. Monthly checks should include a more thorough inspection of the entire unit, including seals, hoses, and nozzles.
Replacing Eye Wash Solution
For self-contained units that use sterile eye wash solution rather than mains water, the solution has an expiry date. Check this date regularly and replace the solution before it expires. Using expired solution can introduce bacteria into an already injured eye, leading to infection.
Keeping Stations Clean and Functional
Dust, debris, and mineral deposits can clog nozzles and reduce the effectiveness of the station. Clean the nozzles and bowls regularly. Run water through the system during weekly checks to flush out any stagnant water in the pipes.
Training Employees on Eye Wash Station Use
What Every Worker Should Know
Every employee who works in or near areas with eye hazards must know where the nearest eye wash station is located and how to use it. This should be part of their induction training and should be reinforced through regular refresher sessions.
Training should cover how to activate the station, the correct position for flushing, the minimum flushing time, and the importance of seeking medical attention afterwards.
Running Emergency Drills
Practical drills help workers respond automatically in an emergency. Run drills at least once a year where workers practice locating and using the eye wash station. Time the drills to ensure everyone can reach the station within the required timeframe.
Mistakes That Put Your Workplace at Risk
Blocked or Hard to Reach Stations
A station that is blocked by equipment, boxes, or other obstacles is useless in an emergency. Conduct regular walk-throughs of your facility to ensure all stations are accessible.
Expired or Contaminated Solutions
Self-contained units with expired solution provide no protection. In fact, they can make the situation worse by introducing contaminants. Keep a log of expiry dates and replace solutions on schedule.
No Training or Signage
An eye wash station that workers do not know about is as good as not having one at all. Invest in clear signage and thorough training to ensure everyone knows what to do when an incident occurs. When a chemical splashes into someone’s eye, panic sets in immediately. The pain is intense, vision is compromised, and clear thinking goes out the window. In that moment, a worker needs to act on instinct and muscle memory rather than trying to figure out where to go or what to do. This only happens if they have been properly trained and if the path to the eye wash station is clearly marked. Signage should be large, highly visible, and placed at multiple points throughout the facility so that no matter where a worker is standing, they can immediately identify the direction of the nearest station. Use universally recognized symbols and bright colors that stand out against the background of your workplace. Do not assume that a small sign tucked away in a corner will be noticed during an emergency. It will not.
Training is equally critical and must go beyond a quick mention during induction. Every worker who operates in or near areas with eye hazards should physically walk to the nearest eye wash station and practice using it. They need to know how to activate the water flow, how to position their face correctly, how to hold their eyelids open, and how long they need to keep flushing. This hands-on practice builds the automatic response that saves eyesight when a real incident happens. Refresher training should happen at least annually, and more frequently in high-risk environments. New employees must be trained on their very first day before they set foot in any hazardous area. Contractors and visitors who enter your facility should be briefed on the location of eye wash stations as part of their site induction. It is also worth running surprise drills where you simulate an eye contamination incident and observe how quickly workers respond. Time their reaction from the moment of the simulated exposure to the moment water starts flowing over their eyes. If anyone takes longer than 10 to 15 seconds, you have a problem that needs to be addressed immediately. The cost of proper signage and regular training is minimal compared to the cost of a worker losing their sight because they did not know where to go or what to do in those critical first seconds.