Eyewash is a fluid, commonly salineus, used to physically wash the eyes in the case that they may be

contaminate Contamination is the presence of a constituent, impurity, or some other undesirable element that spoils, corrupts, infects, makes unfit, or makes inferior a material, physical body, natural environment, workplace, etc. Types of contamination Wi ...

d by foreign materials or substances. Eyewashes may be beneficial to those with sensitive eyes and can provide relief to the painful side effects of sensitivity. However, prolonged usage of such products will cause mild

side effects In medicine, a side effect is an effect, whether therapeutic or adverse, that is secondary to the one intended; although the term is predominantly employed to describe adverse effects, it can also apply to beneficial, but unintended, consequence ...

, such as the reddening of the eye and/or pupil and cause itchiness.

Occupational safety

In the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

, the

Occupational Safety and Health Administration The Occupational Safety and Health Administration'' (OSHA ) is a large regulatory agency of the United States Department of Labor that originally had federal visitorial powers to inspect and examine workplaces. Congress established the agenc ...

(OSHA) was created as a result of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The law was created to help further protect employee safety while providing "safe & healthful working conditions." OSHA's primary eyewash standard, 29 CFR 1910.151 states, "where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use." These suitable facilities include fixed-point eye wash stations (which are especially recommended for risk of chemical burns to eyes) and emergency eye wash stations. OSHA provides additional regulations for battery charging stations in 29 CFR 1926.441(a)(6) "Facilities for quick drenching of the eyes and body shall be provided within 25 feet (7.62 m) of battery handling areas." Compliance with eyewash stations regulations is a component of OSHA inspections.

Eyewash in the workplace

Eye wash stations and deluge showers must contain the following: * Pure, clean water. * The ability to operate the units without the use of hands. * Constant water flow for a period of 15 minutes. * Unobstructed access. * Highly visible signs and markings.

References

Eye care {{eye-stub