Whether it is exposure to sodium hydroxide in Chemistry, sulfuric battery acid in Physics or hydrochloric acid in Biology, all will require safety equipment to minimize injuries to the eyes. The standard addresses engineering controls protect the employee's eyes or other body parts from chemical exposure implications. This category includes emergency showers and eyewash equipment, hand-held drench hoses or combination shower and eyewash equipment. With the revision in 1998 ANSI 358.1, the location of the emergency eyewash or shower station has been redefined. The stations must be no longer than a maximum of 10 seconds to be reached by the injured employee.
Distance is no longer a prescribed factor.
However, a clear path to the eyewash or shower station is a requirement. Desks, chairs and other obstacles need to be clear of the path. Signage is also required. Highly visible signs from all area of the laboratory to be serviced by the safety equipment need to be installed. The water provided by the eyewash or shower station must be clean and tepid in temperature.