Eyewash stations should be activated and visually inspected weekly, with a full comprehensive inspection performed once a year. These frequencies come from ANSI/ISEA Z358.1, the national standard for emergency eyewash and shower equipment, which OSHA references when enforcing workplace safety. The most current version is ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014, reaffirmed in 2020.
The Weekly Activation
Every week, someone in the work area should physically turn on each eyewash station and let it run. This isn’t just a checkbox exercise. Water that sits in supply lines between uses develops sediment, rust, scale, and microbial contamination. Stagnant water can harbor small amoebae capable of causing serious eye infections, which is the last thing you want in a device designed to flush chemicals out of someone’s eyes.
The weekly activation confirms three things at once: flushing fluid is actually available, the supply lines are clear of buildup, and the valve opens properly. One person in the work area should be designated as responsible for this task so it doesn’t fall through the cracks. During each activation, check for valve leakage, clogged nozzle openings, and whether the water flow looks clean and adequate.
The Annual Comprehensive Inspection
Once a year, each station needs a thorough inspection that goes beyond simply turning it on. The annual check evaluates the entire system: flow rate, water temperature, valve operation speed, and the physical condition of all components. The ANSI standard specifies that plumbed eyewash stations must deliver tepid flushing fluid at no less than 0.4 gallons per minute (1.5 liters per minute) for a full 15 minutes. The valve should open with a single movement and then operate hands-free so an injured person doesn’t have to hold it open while flushing their eyes.
This is also the time to verify that the station hasn’t been blocked by stored equipment, that signage is visible, and that the path to the unit is unobstructed. Replacement parts should be kept on hand so a failed component during the annual inspection doesn’t leave the station out of service.
Self-Contained and Portable Units
Portable, gravity-fed eyewash stations that aren’t connected to plumbing require extra attention. Because they hold a fixed reservoir of fluid rather than drawing from a water line, that fluid needs to be replaced on a regular schedule. How often depends on whether the solution contains a preservative. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific unit, as replacement timelines vary. Changing the fluid frequently and cleaning the reservoir prevents someone from flushing their eyes with contaminated water during an actual emergency.
Personal eyewash bottles and supplemental squeeze-bottle units also need inspection and maintenance per the manufacturer’s schedule, plus a thorough annual check for overall operation.
What OSHA Actually Requires
OSHA’s own regulation on this topic is brief. Under 29 CFR 1910.151(c), workplaces where eyes or skin may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials must provide “suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing” within the work area for immediate emergency use. The regulation doesn’t specify exact flow rates, inspection schedules, or water temperatures.
That’s where ANSI Z358.1 fills the gap. While the ANSI standard doesn’t carry the direct legal force of an OSHA regulation, OSHA routinely references it when issuing citations and evaluating compliance. The agency can also cite employers under the General Duty Clause if an unmaintained or nonfunctional eyewash station creates a recognized hazard. In practical terms, following the ANSI standard’s weekly and annual inspection schedule is the clearest way to demonstrate compliance.
What to Check During Each Inspection
The most common problems that develop between inspections are predictable, and weekly activation catches most of them before they become dangerous:
- Clogged openings and lines from mineral deposits or debris in the water supply
- Valve leakage that reduces pressure or creates a slipping hazard on the floor
- Sediment and stagnant water in lines that haven’t been flushed
- Microbial contamination from standing water, including infection-causing amoebae
- Rust, scale, and chemical contaminants that could irritate already-injured eyes
- Inadequate fluid volume in self-contained units
Keeping Inspection Records
Document every weekly activation and annual inspection. A log or tag attached to the station should record the date, the name of the person who performed the check, and whether any issues were found. This record serves two purposes: it creates accountability so inspections actually happen on schedule, and it provides evidence of a functioning maintenance program if OSHA ever conducts a workplace inspection. There’s no federally mandated form for this, but consistency matters more than format. A simple logbook, a tag on the unit, or a digital tracking system all work as long as the information is accessible and up to date.