The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), better known as Cal/OSHA, requires that an emergency eyewash shall be provided at all work areas where, during routine operations or foreseeable emergencies, the eyes of an employee may come into contact with a substance which can cause corrosion, severe irritation, or tissue damage, or which is toxic by absorption.
Under certain rare circumstances, a safety shower may also be required.
UC Davis Health Environmental Health and Safety can help you evaluate when an eyewash is needed. Contact safety@health.ucdavis.edu to request an assessment.
Eyewashes are activated monthly by a third-party vendor (weekly in CAP-accredited areas). In addition, they are tested for adequate flow annually. Each eyewash and safety shower contains a tag for both the monthly and annual testing. If an eyewash/safety shower in your area is lacking tags, or if a monthly or annual inspection has been missed, place a work order.