Eyewash Fountains & Safety Showers

Use eyewash fountains and safety showers in the event of chemical exposure to eyes or skin. Two assistants are recommended – one to assist with rinsing and another to mop water.

Environmental Health and Safety inspects our eyewash fountains and safety showers annually using procedures recommended by the American National Standards Institute. It is important, however, to test this equipment more frequently; tests will reveal plumbing problems, reduce buildup of sediment in the lines, flush out microorganisms that can cause infection, and make lab workers more familiar and confident with the operation of the equipment.

Eyewash fountains and safety showers must be tested at least quarterly (March, June, Sept., and Dec.) by lab occupants in research laboratories and at least monthly by Lab Services staff in teaching laboratories.