Emergency showers and eyewash stations provide immediate decontamination in the workplace.  They are designed for immediate flushing away of hazardous substances from the skin or eyes.  It is crucially important to treat exposure to a hazardous substance (especially if it is corrosive) within the 10 - 15 seconds.  Delays can cause serious injury.

Presently there are no Canadian standards for the design or placement of eyewash stations or emergency showers.  As a result, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard Z358.1-2004 "Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment" is presently used as the standard for Canadian workplaces. 

Emergency showers (drench/deluge showers) are used to flush the workers head and body - not the eyes.  The pressure of the water flow may damage the eyes.  Combination showers and eyewash are available for workplaces with a requirement for both.

The need for eyewash stations/emergency showers in a workplace depends on the chemicals the workers use and their tasks in the workplace.  In some workplaces the hazard is limited to the worker's face and eyes and as a result, an eyewash station is sufficient.  In other circumstances, the worker may be in full body contact with hazardous substances and therefore an emergency shower is required.

ANSI Z358.1-2004 compliant emergency showers, click here.

ANSI Z358.1-2004 compliant eyewash stations:

1. Pureflow 1000 Emergency Eyewash Station
2. Porta Stream II and III
3. OptiKlens I & II

4. Opti-Klens 1M Eye/Face Wash Station

5. Eyewash with Hand/Foot Control and Bowl

The specifications should follow the ANSI Z358.1-2004 "Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment" standard. Portable and plumbed models are available.  Portable models are ideal for mobile work areas, temporary work locations or workplaces where plumbing is unavailable in the immediate area where a eyewash station/emergency shower is required.  The eyewash fluid in portable units should be treated to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Emergency showers should deliver water to the worker's entire body.  The specifications should be as follows:

• Water pattern - diameter of 50.8 cm (20 in) at 152 cm (60 in)
• Height - The shower head should be 208.3-243.8 cm (82-96 in) from the floor
• Spray volume - 75.7 litres/min (20 gallons/min) for a minimum of 15 mins.
• Activation time - less than 1 second and remains operational without the operator's hand on the valve.

Eyewash stations should deliver water to both eyes at the same time.  The specifications should be as follows:

• Height - 83.8-114.3 cm (33-45 in) from the floor and 15.3 cm (6 in) from the wall or nearest obstruction
• Spray volume - 1.5 litres/min (0.4 gallons/min) for a minimum of 15 mins. The velocity should not be strong enough to harm the eyes
• Activation time - less than 1 second and remains operational without the operator's hand on the valve.

ANSI recommends that emergency showers/eyewash stations be identified by a highly visible sign or symbol so that all workers can understand it.  The equipment should also be within a 10 second reach of the affected worker (i.e. 15-30 metres or 50-100 feet).  The location should be:

• Very close to the hazard
• With no partitions/walls between the emergency equipment and the hazardous work area
• With an unobstructed patch to the emergency equipment
• Without stairs in the path to the emergency equipment
• Where workers can easily see the emergency equipment area
• Close to an emergency exit so EMS can reach the casualty easily
• In an area where further contamination will not occur
• In an area with effective drainage of the excess water (which may be contaminated)
• Away from any electrical equipment
• Protected from freezing if outdoors

Note: In cases where corrosive substances are used,  the equipment should be within a 3-6 metre (10-20 ft) range from the hazardous material.