Eyewash stations must be located within 10 seconds of travel from any hazard involving corrosive or irritating chemicals. At a normal walking pace, that works out to roughly 55 feet. For the most dangerous substances, such as strong acids or strong bases, the station should be immediately adjacent to the hazard, not across the room. These requirements come from the ANSI Z358.1 standard, which OSHA references when enforcing workplace safety.
Maximum Distance From the Hazard
The core rule is a 10-second travel time. An average person walking at a normal pace covers about 55 feet in 10 seconds, so that’s the practical upper limit for most workplaces. OSHA has separately interpreted the phrase “within the work area” to mean within 10 feet of unimpeded travel for corrosive materials specifically, though this stricter guidance applies in situations involving direct corrosive exposure risk.
The general principle is simple: the more dangerous the chemical, the closer the station needs to be. For strong acids with a pH below 1 or strong bases with a pH above 12, the eyewash must be immediately adjacent to where the material is used or stored. “Immediately adjacent” means within a few steps, not across the aisle or around a corner. A worker who gets concentrated sulfuric acid in their eyes cannot afford to walk even 30 feet.
Path of Travel Rules
Distance alone doesn’t determine whether a station is properly placed. The path between the hazard and the eyewash must be completely unobstructed. That means no locked doors, no stairs, no ladders, and no equipment blocking the route. The station also needs to be on the same level as the hazard. Someone with chemical burns in their eyes won’t be able to navigate steps safely.
Think of it from the perspective of a person who can barely see. They need to be able to reach the station by walking in a straight or nearly straight line without bumping into anything, opening heavy doors, or changing elevation. If the path requires turning a doorknob, moving a cart, or stepping over hoses, that’s a compliance problem. Workplaces should regularly check that nothing has been stacked or parked in the travel path since the station was installed.
Height and Physical Placement
The nozzles on an eyewash station must sit between 33 and 45 inches above the floor. This range allows most people to lean forward and position their eyes directly over the stream without crouching or straining. Mounting the unit too high makes it difficult to keep your eyes in the water flow for the full flushing period. Too low, and you’re forced into an awkward bend that’s hard to sustain.
Stations should be installed in well-lit areas where they’re easy to spot. Clear signage is required so that even someone unfamiliar with the facility can find the nearest unit quickly. A highly visible sign, typically green with a white symbol, should be posted at or above eye level near the station. In large facilities, directional signs along hallways pointing toward the closest station are a practical addition.
Floor Drains and Water Disposal
A common question during installation is whether you need a floor drain beneath the station. The ANSI Z358.1 standard does not require floor drains. In fact, some safety professionals discourage them because drains that sit unused for long periods can allow sewer gases to back up into the room. That said, you do need a plan for handling water. During weekly tests and actual emergencies, water will pool on the floor, so having absorbent materials or a collection method nearby is practical. After any extended use, the accumulated water and wet floor need to be addressed promptly to prevent slip hazards.
Water Temperature
The water coming out of an eyewash station should be tepid. Water that’s too cold discourages the injured person from flushing their eyes for the full recommended 15 minutes. Water that’s too hot can make a chemical injury worse. In practice, this means the supply line may need a mixing valve or thermostatic control, especially in buildings where the cold water runs very cold in winter or the supply lines run through hot areas. If your station is in an unheated warehouse or an outdoor location, temperature control becomes a critical installation consideration.
Weekly Testing and Maintenance
Every plumbed eyewash station must be activated weekly. The purpose is twofold: confirming the unit works mechanically and flushing stagnant water out of the supply line. Water that sits in pipes grows bacteria, and the last thing you want during an eye emergency is to flush contaminated water into an open wound. Depending on the length and configuration of the plumbing, you may need to run the water for three minutes or longer to fully clear the stagnant portion of the line.
During each weekly test, check that the flow pattern is correct (both nozzles should produce equal, converging streams), the activation mechanism works with one hand or one motion, and the water runs clear. Document every test with a date and the name of the person who performed it. Annual inspections should go deeper, verifying water temperature, confirming signage is intact, and checking that the travel path remains unobstructed.
Common Placement Mistakes
The most frequent problem is installing a station at the correct distance but then allowing the path to become blocked over time. Shelving gets added, boxes pile up, or equipment gets repositioned. The second most common issue is placing stations in rooms that require opening a door to access. Even a single unlocked, easy-to-open door adds time and difficulty for someone who can’t see clearly.
Another overlooked mistake is placing the eyewash too far from where chemicals are actually used versus where they’re stored. If workers routinely mix or pour chemicals at a bench 40 feet from the storage cabinet, the station needs to be near the bench, not the cabinet. Placement should reflect where exposure is most likely to happen, not just where the chemicals live when they’re sealed.
Portable eyewash units can supplement plumbed stations in areas where plumbing isn’t feasible, but they require more frequent maintenance. The flushing fluid in portable units has a limited shelf life and must be replaced on schedule. They also typically hold less water than the 15 minutes of continuous flow that plumbed units provide, so they’re best used as a complement rather than a replacement.