Eye Wash Inspection Checklist: Ensuring Compliance and Safety

You think you’re safe until you’re not. Imagine a sudden chemical splash, and your only line of defense is an eyewash station that hasn't been inspected for weeks. Scary, right? Now here's the thing: Regular inspection of your eyewash station isn't just a "nice-to-have"—it's a critical safety measure that could save sight, health, or even lives.

But let’s cut straight to the chase. If you're managing a facility, you don’t have time for inefficiency. What you need is a rock-solid inspection checklist that covers all the bases—from the frequency of inspections to ensuring that stations are up to code with both OSHA and ANSI standards. This guide isn't about making you wade through regulations. It's about giving you exactly what you need to get your facility safe, compliant, and ready for any emergency—without drowning in paperwork or legalese.

Why inspections matter more than you think:
First, let's put things into perspective. Did you know that a non-functional or poorly maintained eyewash station can lead to non-compliance fines or even lawsuits if someone gets hurt? OSHA doesn’t mess around with eyewash station requirements. You're dealing with people’s ability to see—literally. You can’t afford to cut corners.

Eyewash station functionality directly impacts:

1. Emergency response time.
2. Your team's safety and well-being.
3. Legal compliance and potential financial penalties.

Inspection Frequency—Keep It Tight
The very first question you need to answer is: how often should eyewash stations be inspected? According to ANSI, weekly testing is non-negotiable. That means once every 7 days, no exceptions. But here’s the kicker: a weekly inspection might not be enough if you're in a high-risk environment, like dealing with corrosive chemicals daily. In these cases, daily checks might be necessary.

Here’s a simple table to give you a snapshot of what your schedule should look like:

Inspection Frequency	Risk Level	Environment Examples
Weekly	Moderate	General manufacturing, non-hazardous labs
Daily	High	Chemical plants, hazardous material zones

Checklist Essentials—No Excuses
Your checklist needs to be tight. No fluff, just action items that get straight to ensuring that eyewash stations work when they’re needed most. Here’s a comprehensive rundown of what to include in your eyewash station inspection checklist:

1. Location and Accessibility

   • Are all stations located within a 10-second walking distance of potential hazards?
   • Are paths to the stations clear of obstacles?

2. Flow Rate and Water Temperature

   • Check if the water is flowing at a minimum rate of 0.4 gallons per minute.
   • Is the water tepid (60-100°F)? Extreme water temperatures can cause additional injury.

3. Activation Mechanism

   • Test the activation lever. Does the water start flowing in one second or less?
   • Is the lever or button easy to access and not blocked?

4. Duration of Flow

   • Does the water continue to flow for at least 15 minutes without interruption?

5. Cleanliness of the Nozzles

   • Inspect the nozzles for dust, debris, or contamination. If the nozzles are dirty, they could cause more harm than good.

6. Inspection Tags and Documentation

   • Ensure that inspection tags are up-to-date. If your eyewash station isn't inspected regularly, you’re likely breaching compliance.

7. Eye Wash Solution or Tap Water?

   • If you’re using a portable eyewash station with saline solution, check the expiration date. The last thing you want in an emergency is expired fluid that could cause infection.

Why Skipping Inspections Is a Time Bomb
Skipping inspections? That's a disaster waiting to happen. Not only could it result in immediate safety risks, but you’re also setting yourself up for huge fines if your facility gets audited. OSHA fines can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars for violations related to eyewash stations.

Here’s a quick reality check:

Non-Compliance Penalty	Amount
First Offense	$14,502
Repeat Offense	$145,027

That’s no small change. Beyond the fines, think about the potential costs of a lawsuit if someone sustains a serious injury. Can your facility afford that? Probably not. This is why your inspection process needs to be rock-solid, bulletproof, and non-negotiable.

Wrapping Up—Don’t Wait for the Accident to Happen
Here’s the real takeaway: No one ever thinks about an eyewash station until it's too late. Your weekly inspections may seem routine or even tedious, but they're absolutely essential to ensuring that your station works flawlessly when disaster strikes. The costs of negligence—both human and financial—are far too great to ignore.

Don’t wait until someone gets hurt to realize the importance of eyewash inspections. Stay ahead of the game, protect your team, and keep your facility compliant. Follow the checklist, perform your weekly inspections, and you’ll avoid a world of trouble down the line.