Eye Wash Equipment Selection

Equipment selection should be based upon the hazard. Consider the population, the frequency
of activities, the nature of the activities, particulates, and the chemicals used. In general:

1. Full sized showers and eyewash stations should be used in active workplaces with daily activities generating particulates or using high hazard chemicals (i.e. large quantities and concentrated hazardous chemicals).
2. Dual purpose drench hose and eyewash installations should be used in moderately hazardous areas with daily or less frequent activities (i.e. smaller quantities and dilute solutions or less hazardous chemicals).
3. Faucet mounted eyewashes and drench hoses should be used in low hazard workplaces with infrequent activities (i.e. small quantities or low hazard chemicals).
4. Single nozzle drench hoses are intended to supplement the existing eyewash and shower facilities and are not considered a substitute in place of suitable eye and body wash equipment.
5. Gravity fed or squirt bottle eyewash stations should only be considered for field work or temporary installations where they will be replaced by plumbed fixtures. Eyewash solutions must be changed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.