Eye Wash and Emergency Shower Guidelines

• Locate your eye wash and emergency shower. An eye wash and emergency shower must be available within 10 seconds of unobstructed travel from where hazardous materials are used.
• Keep the path to your safety equipment clear and unobstructed.

  Examples of different types of equipment are shown here.

• Eye wash stations mounted on sinks are valid only if they have 2 orifices.
• Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) discourages the use of a deluge hose as an eye wash. Deluge hoses are for cleaning glassware or other laboratory activities, are not inspected by EH&@S, and may not be sanitary.
• Never rely on sink faucets to replace an eye wash or emergency shower.

• Eye washes and emergency showers are easy to operate and designed for hands-free use. Most eye washes and emergency showers have either paddles, levers, or a pull-lever to operate.
• To turn off, simply reverse the action required to turn it on.
• Ask your Area Safety Coordinator for assistance, if needed.

• Keep the area clear at all times around your emergency shower and eye wash, including countertop-mounted eye washes.
• Be aware of electrical hazards. Keep energized electrical equipment away from eye washes and emergency showers.

Make sure eye wash and emergency shower equipment will be reliable when you need them. Periodically check the following:

• Make sure caps cover the eye wash spouts to keep them clean. Caps should be easy to remove in an emergency.
• Look for a current date on the equipment's inspection tag. Eye washes and emergency showers are inspected monthly by EH&S to ensure proper functioning.
• Contact your EH&S Research Assistance Program specialist if you suspect your eye wash or emergency shower is dysfunctional or has not been inspected.

• Never use safety equipment for cleaning lab or shop equipment, personal objects, or for other non-emergency purposes.

Note: Some outdoor eye washes may run discolored (rusty) water for a few seconds. Don't hesitate to use them immediately when needed.

Important: The first few seconds after exposure to a hazardous chemical (especially a corrosive chemical) are critical. Delaying treatment, even for a few seconds, may result in irreparable eye damage. Never hesitate to use safety equipment if needed.

Drains are rarely designed into floor plans to accommodate eye wash stations. Never let that stop you from using the equipment if needed. Call Facilities Management at (858) 534-2930 as soon as possible to collect water where drains are not installed.

To use emergency eye wash:

• Immediately flush eyes for at least 15 minutes.
• Keep the eyes open and rotate the eyeballs in all directions to remove contamination from around the eyes. An injured person may need help holding the eyelids open.
• Call UCSD Poison Control at (800) 222-1222 for advice, and then seek medical attention immediately.
• Have someone bring or fax the Material Safety Data Sheet for the chemical to the doctor.
• Notify EH&S at (858) 534-3660 when a chemical exposure occurs.

Note: Some outdoor emergency showers may run discolored (rusty) water for a few seconds. Don't hesitate to use them immediately when needed.

Important: The first few seconds after exposure to a hazardous chemical (especially a corrosive chemical) are critical. Delaying treatment, even for a few seconds, may result in irreparable tissue damage. Never hesitate to use safety equipment if needed.

Drains are rarely designed into floor plans to accommodate emergency shower stations. Never let that stop you from using the equipment if needed. Call Facilities Management at (858) 534-2930 as soon as possible to collect water where drains are not installed.

• Immediately flush the affected area with copious quantities of water for at least 15 minutes. Protect the eyes from inadvertent contamination.
• Remove contaminated clothing, jewelry, and shoes. Don't let modesty slow you down. Every second counts. Use a clean lab coat to provide the victim with privacy and warmth.
• Call UCSD Poison Control at (800) 222-1222 for advice, and then seek medical attention immediately.
• Have someone bring or fax the Material Safety Data Sheet for the chemical to the doctor.
• Notify EH&S at (858) 534-3660 when a chemical exposure occurs.