Emergency eyewash stations and Showers provide on-the-spot decontamination and flushing action for your eyes. They allow workers to flush away hazardous substances that can cause temporary or permanent injury. Accidental chemical exposures can occur even with good engineering controls and best practices/safety precautions.
Jobsite requirements say a must have an Eye Wash station capable of providing flushing liquid for a minimum of 15 Minutes.
However, other references recommend a minimum 20-minute flushing period if the nature of the contaminant is not known. The flushing or rinsing time can be modified if the identity and properties of the chemical are known. For example:
- 5-minutes for non-irritants or mild irritants,
- 15-20 minutes for moderate to severe irritants and chemicals that cause acute toxicity if absorbed through the skin,
- 30 minutes for most corrosives, and
- 60 minutes for strong alkalis (e.g., sodium, potassium or calcium hydroxide).


