If You Have to Think About Where the Eyewash Is, It’s Already Too Far

Timely access to eyewash stations can make all the difference in preventing eye injuries in hazardous work environments. How can safety managers keep them accessible, and ensure compliance for faster, more effective emergency response?

• By Herbert Post
• Jun 30, 2025

The moment a chemical hits the eye, the clock starts ticking. There’s no time to fumble for keys, push past a storage cart, or remember where the eyewash station is installed. In that split second, the difference between temporary irritation and permanent damage often comes down to one thing: access. 

And yet, in too many workplaces, eyewash stations check the compliance box but fail the reality test. They’re technically there, but blocked, mislabeled, too far, or just forgotten. 

That’s why more organizations are rethinking how these systems are designed and deployed. New approaches are now helping safety teams close the gap between policy and response. The goal isn’t to upgrade for the sake of it but to make sure that when someone needs the equipment, it works without hesitation. 

What the Standards Say

The ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-20141 standard outlines the following: 

• 10-second rule. Eyewash stations must be located within 10 seconds of potential hazards (roughly 55 feet), with a clear, unobstructed path. 

• Hands-free operation. The unit must activate in one second or less and stay on without the user needing to hold a valve open. 

• Flow requirements. Eyewash stations must deliver 0.4 gallons per minute (GPM) for 15 continuous minutes. 

• Water temperature. Tepid water is required; 60°F to 100°F (16°C to 38°C). Too cold and it risks shock, too hot and it adds injury. 

• Weekly activation. Units must be tested weekly to flush the lines and ensure proper operation. 

And if your setup meets these criteria, you're technically in the clear. But here’s the thing: in a real emergency, technical compliance isn’t always enough. These are the minimums. They’re necessary, but they don’t guarantee usability or ease of access in a real emergency. 

Many eyewash stations pass inspection but fail under pressure. Maybe the station is within 10 seconds on paper, but not if someone’s crawling around equipment or dodging stacked boxes. Maybe the water was in the right temperature range last week, but nobody noticed the heater had tripped. And “unobstructed” might’ve been true at install until a pallet jack was parked in front of it for “just a minute” and never moved. 

This is where compliance illusions creep in. The box is checked. The form is signed. But the actual functionality in a high-stress, time-sensitive situation? That’s another story. 

And sometimes, readiness means testing equipment. In some cases, jobs require or should consider prior to work starting, that the eyewash and safety shower be activated, just to be sure it’s working. But this may not be feasible for some settings. It’s good to make these decisions as a team after assessing the hazards and risks of your specific application. 

The takeaway is simple: ANSI Z358.1 gives you the minimum baseline. But real readiness, the kind that protects people when things go sideways, goes beyond the standard and looks at how humans actually respond when the pressure's on. 

Accessible Means More Than Just “Installed Nearby” 

It’s easy to think, “There’s an eyewash station near us—we’re good.” But proximity on paper doesn’t always translate to true accessibility in a crisis. The body’s response during exposure is immediate: pain, panic, confusion. In that moment, even a 10-second walk can feel like forever. 

Accessibility isn’t simply just about distance but whether a person in distress can reach and use the station without thinking, searching, or navigating obstacles. 

But even when a station meets the requirement, simple layout choices can still get in the way: 

• Blocked by equipment or storage: Even if it’s technically “within reach,” it’s no good if you can’t get to it fast. 

• Placed near the hazard but not close enough: 55 feet may pass inspection, but it’s still a long way when you’re hurt and can’t see. 

• Hard to spot at a glance: If a worker has to think about where it is, that’s already a problem. 

Environmental factors can also undermine accessibility: 

• Poor lighting: In low-light areas or emergency conditions, visibility matters. 

• Insufficient signage: Standard green signs might not be enough, especially if they blend into the background. 

• No floor markings: A bright, painted path or contrast zone can make a huge difference. 

How Modern Advancements Make a Difference

Once you’ve recognized that “accessible” means more than just meeting the bare minimum, the next step is asking: What can we do better—practically, right now? 

Fortunately, today’s eyewash solutions have come a long way. The ANSI Z358.1-2014 standard hasn't been updated in a while but the equipment around it has, and in ways that actually improve response when seconds count. And while no single advancement is a silver bullet, together they solve many of the problems that traditional, compliance-only setups may overlook. 

Self-contained systems.

• Insulated tanks to help maintain water within the tepid range 

• Sealed, low-maintenance designs that reduce contamination and sediment issues 

• Simplified activation and drainage systems that don’t require constant adjustment 

Built-in temperature control. Compliance requires tepid water. But let’s be honest, most people aren’t measuring that daily. Temperature-controlled systems fill this blind spot: 

• Integrated thermostatic mixing valves effectively regulate temperature and prevent scalding or shock 

• Fail-safes and flow restrictors shut down water outside the safe range 

• Some units even combine insulation and heat tracing to handle outdoor or unconditioned spaces 

And unlike retrofitting plumbing or adding external heat sources, these systems are increasingly compact and plug-and-play, which means less downtime and fewer workarounds when weather shifts. 

Functionality that holds up under stress. Modern units are now addressing issues that show up when fine motor skills drop off, visibility is limited, or the user’s judgment is impaired. The features below aren't theoretical. They reflect common usability failures and are designed to reduce the chance of error in real scenarios: 

• Multi-angle activation controls. Standard push handles work fine in demos, but they assume clean hands, precision, and good mobility. If someone’s vision is blurred and they're fumbling, they might not even find the handle on the first try. Wider activation surfaces, extended paddles, or secondary touchpoints reduce that friction. The fewer steps involved, the better the outcome. 

• Self-validating flow systems. In the moment, it’s not always clear if the station is functioning the way it should. Newer units often provide visual feedback that water is flowing correctly. That might be a simple flag, indicator light, or visual cue built into the stream pattern itself. These small touches reduce uncertainty and can help someone stay at the station longer. 

• Contrast zones and built-in lighting. People don’t scan for safety equipment during a crisis but move toward what they can recognize immediately. Some stations now include built-in lighting, reflective surfaces, or color contrasts that break through low visibility, power outages, or even environmental glare. 

• Audio alerts tied to activation. A soft alarm or audio cue when the station activates can do two things: (1) it confirms for the user that something is working, and (2) it draws attention from coworkers. This isn’t essential for every setting, but it adds another layer of response support, especially in areas where visibility is blocked or where workers are spread out. 

Can You Reach It Blindfolded? 

It’s easy to measure compliance in steps, seconds, or square footage. But none of that holds up when the person who needs the station can’t see. Or think clearly. Or even move in a straight line. 

If a worker has to stop and remember which corner it’s in or whether it’s behind a cart or through a doorway, the setup has already failed. Even if it’s technically compliant. 

When layout decisions are made, they’re often filtered through checklists, floor plans, and discussions in offices. But the person using the station won’t be standing in that room. They won’t be calm. And they won’t be thinking like someone reviewing policy. They'll be acting on panic, pain, and reflex. 

That’s the mindset these systems need to be designed for. If you want to know whether your eyewash station is placed well, ask yourself one question: Could someone reach it blindfolded? 

REFERENCES: 

1. tinyurl.com/3s5m673f 

This article originally appeared in the June 2025 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.