Choosing and Maintaining Emergency Eyewashes/Showers

The discussion of what to do should a chemical exposure occur has been refined many times over the years by ANSI Z358.1. ANSI Z358.1 provides clear and precise guidelines on the performance, testing, installation and maintenance of emergency shower and eyewash equipment. It is not, in any way, a governance of the workplace. ANSI Z358.1 simply is a guideline that is used by organizations and referenced by OSHA and other governing bodies (both foreign and domestic). Potential chemical exposure can take place in many environments. The range is staggering. Cleaning products in the home, combustible materials, corrosives and other substances can be a great danger to humans. In any environment where the threat of chemical exposure is present, it is important to choose the proper safety equipment to use, with the first order of business being protection and the second treatment of exposure.