Emergency eyewash and shower equipment for corrosive exposure

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

June 21, 1993

Mr. Christopher J. Bollas
National Accounts Manager
Encon Safety Products
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Bollas:

Thank you for your inquiries of March 8, addressed to the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offices at 148 International Boulevard, N.E., Suite 600, Atlanta, Georgia, 1375 Peachtree Street N.E. Suite 578, Atlanta, Georgia; 230 S. Dearborn Street, Room 3244, Chicago, Illinois; 133 Portland Street, First Floor, Boston, Massachusetts; and Gateway Building, Suite 2100, 3535 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, requesting OSHA enforcement criteria applied to employers who are required to provide eyewash and shower equipment in workplaces where employees may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials.

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSHA Act requires that each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Since OSHA requires suitable facilities for quick drenching and flushing of the eyes and body for emergency use in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.151(c), and since the national consensus standard ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Z 358.1- 1990 provides details on emergency eyewash and shower equipment, both standards are referenced by OSHA compliance personnel when assessing safety and health conditions related to eyewash and shower equipment.

We appreciate your interest in employee safety and health. If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Roger A. Clark, Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

[Related OSHA regional memorandum reproduced on OSHA page; omitted here.]