Chemical Exposure in 2026: A Checklist for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Readiness
As chemical use expands across industries, safety leaders can reduce injury severity by improving emergency fixture placement, water delivery performance, and equipment compliance and readiness.
- By Ryan Pfund
- Feb 27, 2026
Accidental chemical exposure remains one of the most time-critical workplace emergencies — and expectations for immediate preparedness continue to rise. In 2026, chemical risk is no longer limited to traditional heavy industry. Corrosives, irritants, solvents, and harsh cleaning agents are commonly found across manufacturing, maintenance operations, laboratories, utilities, educational facilities and many commercial environments.
While many facilities already have emergency eyewash and safety shower systems in place, evolving chemical exposure risks are prompting a closer look at whether those systems are truly ready to perform and mitigate exposure. Having equipment installed is only the starting point. Fixtures must be properly placed, fully functional, supplied with tepid water, and capable of performing reliably in even the most challenging chemical environments when they are needed.
This article examines why preparedness for chemical exposure is receiving renewed attention in 2026 and outlines practical placement strategies, engineering features, and compliance considerations to help protect workers when every second matters.
Why chemical exposure readiness is under the spotlight
Several trends are reshaping chemical risk in today’s workplaces. Chemical handling has expanded into more job functions, even in facilities where chemicals are not central to operations. Employees may work with concentrated cleaners, sanitizers, degreasers, adhesives, or corrosive maintenance products that pose serious eye and skin hazards.
At the same time, safety teams face growing pressure to strengthen emergency response programs. Workers expect emergency equipment to function immediately and intuitively, while organizations must manage compliance obligations and reduce injury severity, downtime, and associated costs.
Facilities are also evaluating emergency equipment through a more practical lens: real-world performance over time. Merely passing a safety audit is not enough. Emergency fixtures must remain accessible, clean, tested, and ready to support the full ANSI-recommended 15-minute flush in the event of an incident.
The first seconds determine the outcome
Following a chemical exposure, injury severity is often determined within the first moments of response. Workers may be in pain, disoriented, or unable to see clearly. Immediate access to equipment that activates quickly and delivers consistent flushing with tepid water is essential.
The ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 standard outlines critical requirements for emergency eyewash and shower equipment, including activation, flow performance, and temperature recommendations. Beyond compliance, facilities should ask whether equipment placement and design reflect how exposures actually occur in their particular work environments, which are often fluid and dynamic.
Placement strategy: the most overlooked improvement
Placement remains one of the most impactful — and most frequently overlooked — elements of emergency preparedness. Facilities may benefit from periodic hazard assessments and walkthroughs to confirm emergency equipment placement supports both best practices and ANSI/ISEA requirements.
Here are some of the key considerations for placement:
Ensure rapid, unobstructed access. Workers should not have to maneuver around machinery, open doors, or navigate cluttered areas to reach emergency fixtures. Obstacles delay response and increase injury risk.
Prioritize visibility and accessibility. Fixtures should be clearly visible from normal work positions. Effective signage and lighting are critical in noisy, steamy, or low-visibility environments. Stations hidden behind storage or placed in low-traffic areas may technically comply but discourage use during an emergency. As the adage says: out of sight, out of mind.
Plan for Shared Exposure Risks. Tasks such as chemical transfers or washdowns may present exposure risks to multiple workers. Placement strategies should account for whether equipment can adequately support concurrent responses. Periodic reassessment of equipment placement is recommended, particularly when chemical processes, worksites, or workflows change.
Engineering features that matter most in chemical environments
The design of emergency equipment also significantly impacts the effectiveness of rapid response and mitigation:
Match wash coverage to the hazard
While eyes are highly vulnerable, many chemical exposures affect more than the eyes. Vapors, mist, and splashes can reach surrounding facial areas. In many chemical-handling environments, eye/face wash units provide more comprehensive protection than basic eyewash fixtures.
Enhanced washdown coverage. Rapid and effective face and body coverage is crucial when contaminants come into contact with sensitive areas. Assessing the extent of coverage from eye/face washes and drench showers is essential. Drench showers should provide consistent flow and spray pattern performance between 30–90 psi, supported by reliable flow control.
Modern emergency fixtures offer a more uniform spray pattern than older models, which often leave a gap in the center that can miss affected areas. Improved designs use fluid dynamics and regulated flow control, combined with spinning water, to efficiently rinse contaminants. The contoured, spinning water delivers a focused yet gentle deluge for thorough flushing.
Support intuitive, hands-free activation
Emergency equipment should activate with a single motion and remain on without continuous pressure. Hands-free operation allows injured workers to focus on continuous flushing, removing contaminated PPE, and maintaining balance.
Use ergonomic designs that guide proper use
In emergencies, workers may have limited vision or orientation. Deep, contoured bowls help position the face correctly and direct rinse water toward the drain, reducing splashing and pooling while supporting effective flushing.
Prevent secondary contamination
Uncovered spray heads can collect dust, debris, or overspray. Protective dust covers that open automatically during activation help ensure clean flushing water. In harsh environments, full bowl covers can further protect spray components and the bowl itself.
Deliver tepid water consistently
Using tepid water, generally between 60–100°F (15.5–37.7°C), helps ensure that the full 15-minute flush is completed. If the water is too hot or cold, it may deter proper use or even worsen an injury. Flushing equipment should consistently provide water at a comfortable, stable temperature, which encourages workers to keep their eyes open during rinsing—a crucial step for removing contaminants.
Durability supports long-term readiness
Chemical environments place constant stress on emergency equipment. Vapors, humidity, washdown routines, and aggressive cleaners can degrade components over time.
In chemical plants and corrosive areas, enclosed stainless-steel shower designs also help protect critical components from environmental exposure, supporting long-term readiness and reducing lifecycle maintenance demands.
Maintenance and training are essential components of the program
Emergency fixtures function effectively only when they are properly maintained and when personnel are adequately trained in their use.
Weekly checks matter
Weekly activation verifies flow, flushes debris from lines, and reinforces familiarity. Consistent documentation and prompt corrective action reduce the risk of discovering problems during an actual emergency.
Reinforce instinctive response through training
Workers should know where fixtures are located, how to activate them, the significance of tepid water, and the necessity of completing the recommended 15-minute flush. Training should also address safe removal of contaminated PPE and when medical evaluation is required. Additionally, brief, targeted refresher sessions tailored to specific work environments can significantly enhance training effectiveness.
Preparedness is protection
In 2026, readiness is not just about having emergency fixtures installed — it’s about ensuring workers can find them fast, activate them instantly, and flush long enough to reduce injury severity. When chemical exposure occurs, a well-designed and well-maintained eyewash/shower program can make the difference between a close call and a life-altering event.
This article originally appeared in the February/March 2026 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.