How to Select a Laboratory Eyewash for High-Risk Applications

Selecting the right Laboratory Eye Wash Station is important for protection from chemicals and other hazardous substances. A good eye wash station should be able to effectively flush chemicals from the eyes to minimize possible damage to the worker's eyes and face.

Factors in selecting the right eye wash station
The following factors should be taken into account when selecting an eye wash station for the laboratory:

1. Types of chemicals used in the laboratory
● If using strong acids and bases, an eye wash station with a continuous flow system should be selected to quickly flush chemicals from the eyes.
● If using organic solvents or volatile chemicals, an eye wash station that can release the appropriate amount of water and does not spread chemicals to other areas should be used.

2. Size of the laboratory and number of users
● Small laboratories may need to choose wall-mounted or portable eye wash stations to save space.
● Large laboratories should install multiple eye wash stations so that workers can access the eye wash station within 10 seconds, in accordance with safety standards.

3. Safety standards that should be available
● You should choose an eyewash basin that meets international safety standards, such as:
○ ANSI Z358.1 (American National Standards Institute), which defines eyewash basin safety requirements
○ OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), which is a US occupational safety standard

● The eyewash basin should be able to provide continuous water flow for 15 minutes, according to the requirements of ANSI Z358.1

4. Ease of installation and use
● If it is a laboratory with a water pipe system, you should choose a permanent eyewash basin (Plumbed Eye Wash Station) so that it can be used at all times
● If you want flexibility or use it in an area without a water system, you should choose a portable eyewash basin (Portable Eye Wash Station)
● You should choose an eyewash basin with a soft flow nozzle to reduce the risk to the eyes

Recommended popular eye wash stations
1. Guardian G1806
✅ Plumbed Eye Wash Station
✅ Dual Spray Heads for thorough eye washing
✅ Meets ANSI Z358.1 standards

2. Haws 7501
✅ Portable Eye Wash Station
✅ 16 gallons of water capacity, long-lasting
✅ No need to connect to a water system, suitable for areas without water pipes

3. Speakman SE-580
✅ Eye wash station with self-activated water spray system
✅ The basin is made of durable materials and resistant to chemicals
✅ The appropriate water pressure helps to wash the eyes effectively

Summary
Choosing the right eye wash station for use in the laboratory is important to ensure that workers can handle emergencies safely. The selection of an eye wash station should be based on the type of chemical, the size of the laboratory, safety standards, and ease of installation. By choosing certified products such as Guardian G1806, Haws 7501 and Speakman SE-580 to ensure that eye flushing is effective and minimizes risk to the eyes.