Introduction
Emergency eyewash stations are critical safety equipment in laboratories, industrial facilities, and any workplace where hazardous chemicals are used or stored. Weekly inspections of eyewash stations are required by ANSI Z358.1 standard to ensure these life-saving devices function properly when needed in an emergency. This comprehensive checklist provides safety officers, facility managers, and maintenance personnel with a structured approach to conducting thorough inspections in compliance with industry standards.
Implementing regular eyewash station inspections using this checklist helps facilities maintain compliance with ANSI Z358.1 and OSHA requirements, ensures emergency equipment functions correctly during critical situations, prevents bacterial growth in water systems, and demonstrates due diligence in workplace safety. By following these detailed inspection points, organizations can protect workers from permanent eye damage that could result from delayed or inadequate emergency response to chemical exposures.
Equipment & Location Information
Pro Tips for Effective Eyewash Station Inspection
- Use a Temperature Gauge: Keep a thermometer handy to verify that water temperature is tepid (60-100°F or 16-38°C) as required by ANSI standards.
- Document with Photos: Take photos of issues discovered during inspection to document conditions and assist maintenance personnel with repairs.
- Have a Water Collection System: Use a bucket, tarp, or drainage system during flow testing to avoid creating slip hazards, especially for stations not located near drains.
- Coordinate with Users: Schedule routine inspections during low-use periods and notify area personnel before activating equipment to avoid disruptions.
- Check Nearby Hazards: Verify that no new chemical processes or equipment have been placed between workers and eyewash stations since the last inspection.
Location & Accessibility
Activation & Operation
Water Flow & Quality
Physical Components
Self-Contained Units
Combination Units
Documentation & Training
Detailed Testing Procedures
Follow these structured procedures to ensure thorough testing of eyewash stations. Adapt these steps to your specific equipment types and facility requirements.
Weekly Flow Testing Procedure
- Notify personnel in the area before testing
- Prepare collection container or ensure proper drainage
- Inspect dust covers and spray heads before activation
- Activate unit using normal activation mechanism
- Verify water flow begins within 1 second
- Allow water to flow for at least 30 seconds
- Verify spray pattern is even and covers both eyes
- Check water clarity, temperature, and pressure
- Deactivate and verify dust covers return properly
- Document inspection on tag and in records
Temperature Testing Method
- Use calibrated thermometer for testing
- Activate eyewash station and allow to run for 60 seconds
- Collect water sample in clean container
- Measure temperature immediately
- Verify temperature is between 60-100°F (16-38°C)
- Record temperature on inspection form
- Check temperature at beginning and end of 15-minute period
- Document any temperature fluctuations
Flow Rate Verification
- Prepare calibrated container with volume markers
- Activate eyewash station
- Collect water for exactly 1 minute in container
- Measure collected volume
- Verify minimum 0.4 GPM for eyewash stations
- Verify minimum 3.0 GPM for eye/face wash stations
- Verify minimum 20 GPM for safety showers
- Record measured flow rate on inspection form
Self-Contained Unit Inspection
- Check solution level in transparent units
- Verify solution expiration date
- Check for solution clarity and contamination
- Inspect seals on preserved units
- Verify pressure gauge in acceptable range (if applicable)
- Test activation mechanism without discharging solution
- Follow manufacturer's procedure for testing flow
- Ensure correct solution replacement schedule is followed
Regulatory Compliance Requirements
These guidelines outline key compliance considerations for eyewash station inspections. Requirements may vary by jurisdiction, so always verify current local regulations.
ANSI Z358.1 Requirements
- Weekly activation and inspection required
- Annual thorough inspection required
- Tepid water temperature (60-100°F/16-38°C)
- Located 10 seconds or less from hazard
- Hands-free stay-open valve operation
- Minimum 15-minute continuous flow
- Minimum 0.4 GPM flow rate for eyewash stations
- Spray heads 33-53 inches above standing surface
OSHA Requirements
- Required where employees may be exposed to injurious materials
- Suitable facilities for quick drenching of eyes
- Located in immediate work area where hazards exist
- Accessible and unobstructed
- Proper training for all potentially affected employees
- Proper maintenance and inspection
- Appropriate for specific hazards present
- OSHA defers to ANSI Z358.1 for specific requirements
Documentation Requirements
- Weekly activation and inspection records
- Annual inspection records
- Maintenance and repair records
- Installation certification documents
- Employee training records
- Hazard assessment documentation
- Logs of any actual emergency uses
- Manufacturer's instructions and specifications
Inspector Qualifications
- Understanding of ANSI Z358.1 requirements
- Familiarity with facility-specific hazards
- Training on proper inspection procedures
- Knowledge of appropriate documentation
- Authority to tag out defective equipment
- Ability to initiate maintenance requests
- Annual refresher training
- Certification where required by company policy
Inspection Progress
0% complete
Electronic Signature
Apply Signature
Defects & Maintenance Notes
Maintenance Schedule Guide
Follow this recommended maintenance schedule to ensure ongoing eyewash station compliance and readiness. Frequency requirements are based on ANSI Z358.1 standards.
Weekly Maintenance
- Activate to verify proper operation
- Flush for minimum 30 seconds to clear lines
- Check water clarity and temperature
- Clean spray heads and dust covers
- Visually inspect all components
- Verify signage is intact and visible
- Clean bowl/basin as needed
- Document inspection on tag and log
Monthly Maintenance
- Conduct comprehensive flow testing
- Verify water temperature stability over 15 minutes
- Check and tighten all connections
- Lubricate moving parts per manufacturer specs
- Test activation valves for proper operation
- Clean all external surfaces
- Check for scale buildup in plumbed units
- Inspect water supply lines for leaks or damage
Quarterly Maintenance
- Thoroughly clean all components
- Check pipe connections for corrosion
- Inspect valve assemblies for wear
- Verify flow rate measurements
- Update and review hazard assessments
- Conduct refresher training for area personnel
- Check floor markings and station visibility
- Replace worn parts as needed
Annual Maintenance
- Comprehensive ANSI Z358.1 compliance evaluation
- Complete disassembly and cleaning per manufacturer
- Replacement of all washers and seals
- Thorough flushing of supply lines
- Water quality testing (if required)
- Update facility mapping of emergency equipment
- Evaluate changes in facility hazards
- Pressure test supply lines
- Recertification by qualified personnel
Conclusion
Implementing this comprehensive Eyewash Station Safety Checklist is essential for ensuring emergency response readiness, regulatory compliance, and employee protection. Regular weekly inspections of eyewash stations help identify potential issues before they compromise safety, maintain compliance with ANSI Z358.1 and OSHA requirements, and ensure these critical safety devices will function properly when needed in an emergency.
For optimal eyewash station inspection management, consider implementing the Oxmaint APP to streamline your inspection processes. The Oxmaint platform provides digital documentation of all inspection activities, automated scheduling reminders for weekly testing, comprehensive historical records for each station, and real-time access to critical information for safety and maintenance personnel. With the Oxmaint software, facility managers can easily demonstrate compliance with ANSI Z358.1 requirements and other relevant codes while ensuring all eyewash stations receive proper care on the required schedule.
Make eyewash station inspections an integral part of your facility safety management strategy with the Oxmaint software's comprehensive maintenance management solution. By digitizing your inspection processes, you can improve documentation quality for regulatory inspections, ensure consistent follow-through on critical safety checks, identify trends through historical data analysis, and ultimately enhance employee protection through systematic, documented maintenance.
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