An eyewash station is one of the few pieces of safety equipment a company hopes it never has to use, which is exactly why it so often gets forgotten. When a chemical splash, dust, or debris reaches someone’s eyes, the seconds that follow decide whether that person keeps their vision. Yet far too many businesses treat the station in the corner as a box that was checked years ago rather than a piece of equipment that has to perform on the worst day of someone’s career.
“The biggest mistakes I see are placement and compliance,” said Adam Huntley, First Aid Sales Manager at CITY First Aid and Safety Supplies. “It’s fairly common to find eyewash stations that aren’t located where they’re most needed, aren’t easily accessible, or aren’t maintained properly. For instance, many customers aren’t aware there needs to be an eyewash station near forklift charging stations.”
Part of the reason these stations slip through the cracks comes down to how rarely they are needed. Because they can sit untouched for years, they quietly drop to the bottom of the safety priority list.
“I think part of it is that eyewash stations are easy to overlook because they’re something businesses hope they never have to use or truly aren’t aware they are required,” Adam said. “First aid kits and other safety equipment tend to get more attention because they’re used more frequently and even come with smaller bottles of solution for flushing eyes. Eyewash stations can sit there for years without being needed, so maintenance and compliance can easily fall down the priority list.”
So what actually makes a station ready when an emergency hits? According to Adam, real compliance is about more than simply owning the equipment.
“Businesses need to look at location, accessibility, proper operation, maintenance, and the type of eyewash being used,” Adam explained. “Employees should be able to reach the station quickly in an emergency (within 55 feet), and there shouldn’t be equipment, pallets, or other obstacles blocking access. It’s also important to make sure the unit is being inspected and maintained properly and that employees know where it is and how to use it.”
One of the most common and costly assumptions is that a bottle of eyewash on a shelf is enough to satisfy the requirement and protect a worker.
“Absolutely. One of the biggest misconceptions is that having a bottle of eyewash nearby automatically checks the box,” Adam said. “Depending on the hazard and the workplace, a portable or bottled solution may not provide the appropriate level of protection. I associate this with having a reserve tank on a motorcycle. It’s in place to help get you to the gas station in the case of an emergency, not to run on all day.”
The gap between having a station and being prepared shows up constantly in the field, and the problems are not always obvious at a glance.
“Yes, fairly often. I’ve seen stations that were blocked or difficult to access, hadn’t been properly maintained, weren’t being inspected regularly, or weren’t positioned appropriately for the hazards in the area,” Adam said. “Multiple times I’ve come across mold growth inside units. This is a result of someone simply dumping additional solution to the eyewash instead of properly flushing and refilling or simply not servicing at all. The equipment may technically be there, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s ready to perform when it’s needed.”
If there is a single takeaway for business owners and safety managers, it is to stop thinking of the eyewash station as a formality.
“Don’t just check the box,” Adam said. “Make sure the eyewash is properly located, accessible, maintained, and appropriate for the hazards your employees face. Most importantly, make sure your employees know where it is and can get to it immediately. An eyewash station doesn’t do much good if it’s not ready when someone needs it. You only have one set of eyes, do everything you can to protect them in case of emergency.”
If it has been a while since anyone looked closely at your eyewash stations, that alone is a reason to look again. The team at CITY First Aid and Safety Supplies can help you confirm your stations are placed, accessible, and maintained the way an emergency demands, so the equipment is ready long before anyone needs it.