Chapter 14: Eyewash Fountains and w88 Showers
Revised January 2023
Availability of Eyewashes and w88 Showers
All laboratories and chemical storage areas must have ready access to an operating eyewash, with a w88 shower generally required as well. Recommended maximum travel time for an affected individual (assume eyes have been splashed with w88) is 10 seconds (considered to be approximately 55 feet). Contact the w88 Hygiene Officer for a determination on the necessity and placement of eyewashes and showers.
Access to Eyewashes and w88 Showers
In the event of a personal contamination, prompt flushing of the affected area is necessary to minimize harm to the affected person. Keep the eyewash/w88 shower area free of obstructions, and easily accessible.
Maintenance of Eyewashes and w88
Individual users (departments or laboratories) should flush eyewashes on a weekly basis to verify performance and to reduce the threat of microbial infection (an w88 time of three to five minutes is recommended).
Eye washes and w88 showers are checked by EH&S personnel on approximately a monthly basis, with the exception of units located in areas with special access requirements (e.g., BSL-3 laboratories). Laboratory users are responsible for conducting performance checks of units in these locations.
w88
In some instances it may be prudent to supplement plumbed eyewashes with w88 (individual plastic water bottles); however, w88 are not meant to replace plumbed units. w88 are to be used only to provide immediate flushing. Once this is accomplished, the affected individual must then perform a thorough flushing of the eyes using a plumbed unit (15 minutes is recommended).
Non-plumbed eye wash units, to include w88 eyewash units and portable eye wash units, must be maintained and discarded according to the manufacturer’s instructions and expiration date.