Safety Shower & Eyewash Program

Last Revised: March 26, 2025

It is the policy of the University of Pennsylvania in coordination with the Office of the Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) to provide employees with a safe and healthful working environment. This objective is accomplished by utilizing facilities and equipment that have all feasible safeguards incorporated into their design. Emergency irrigation equipment are critical elements of first-response to exposure to chemical, biologic, and radiologic hazards. 

Overview

The primary goal of the University of Pennsylvania Shower and Eyewash Program (SEW) is to ensure the functionality of emergency irrigation equipment across campus. The program includes the following elements:

  • an inventory of emergency irrigation equipment
  • collaboration with Building Administrators and appropriate plumbing personnel
  • testing of eyewashes and drench hoses on an annual basis
  • communication with affected parties if emergency irrigation equipment is out of order

  

Activation Requirements for Building Occupants

  • Activate eyewashes weekly to flush the water and reduce risk of microbial contamination or particulate buildup
  • DO NOT activate safety showers. Facilities manages the flushing of this equipment.
  • Keeping a Weekly Activation Log for each eyewash is encouraged
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What do I look for during weekly eyewash activation?

The goal of the weekly activation is to flush water through the lines to ensure the water is safe when someone has to use the unit. Secondly, it is important to activate eyewashes weekly to prevent tempering valves from becoming stuck. When you turn on an eyewash, look for any issues that might impact the functionality of the eyewash. 

State of the Unit

  • The unit should be free from broken caps, missing caps, cracks in nozzle heads, and nozzles blocked with calcification.
  • None of the unit's plumbing connection points should be leaky.
  • Units should not continue to run after deactivation.
  • The unit should be stably mounted.
  • The unit should be easy to activate and have a hands-free stay-open valve. 
broken cap
❌ broken cap
missing caps
❌ missing caps
crack in nozzle head
❌crack in nozzle head
calcified nozzle
❌ calcified nozzle
leaky plumbing connection
❌water is still running after eyewash is deactivated
hand-free stay-open valve
✔️ hands-free stay-open valve

Water Pressure and Pattern

  • Water streams need to simultaneously reach both eyes. Water pressure should not fluctuate widely.
  • When placing a gloved hand in the water streams, does the pressure feel like it would be uncomfortable during 15 minutes of eye washing?
water pressure is too low
❌ water pressure is too low
water pressure is too strong
❌ water pressure is too strong
water pressure is appropriate
✔️ water pressure is appropriate

Temperature

  • When placing a gloved hand in the water stream, does the temperature feel too hot?
  • Is there any steam coming off of the water?

Accessibility

  • The area surrounding the unit should be free from clutter.
  • There must be less than a 10 seconds of travel time between the hazard and the unit.
  • No more than one door should be in between the hazard and the unit.
>10secs travel time
❌ >10secs travel time
no clutter and <10secs travel time
✔️ no clutter and <10secs 
​​​travel time 

State of water 

  • After an initial flushing period of a few minutes, there should not be discoloration or particles in the water.
  • If the initial water flow discolored, run the unit for a full 15 minutes to ensure that it clears up.
  • If there are particles in the water, it could be hard water debris or filter decomposition.
discolored water
❌ discolored water
debris in water
❌ Debris in water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signage

  • A sign should be present, visible, and in good condition. 
bad quality signage
❌bad quality signage 
good quality signage
✔️good quality signage 

 

What if my eyewash has an issue during the weekly activation?

If your eyewash does not meet inspection criteria

  • Notify your building manager so that they can put in a work order ticket
    • The plumbing team will receive this ticket, laboratories will be notified of upcoming repairs, and repairs will be initiated

If your eyewash does not work

  • Notify your building manager so that they can put in a work order ticket
    • The plumbing team will receive this ticket, laboratories will be notified of upcoming repairs, and repairs will be initiated
  • Notify EHRS so we can place the appropriate "Out of Order" signage

Eyewash questions - please reach out to EHRS at (215) 898-4453

Weekly Activation Example Videos

These are examples of eyewashes that do not meet the weekly activation criteria. You would need to let your building administrator know about: 

These are examples of eyewashes that would pass a weekly activation.

Safety Shower and Eyewash Program Staffing

Student workers are integral team members involved in the testing and inventory of emergency irrigation equipment. Student workers are trained by EHRS and FRES to enter buildings all across campus to search for, inventory, and test eyewashes and showers.

 

Attachment
Weekly Eyewash Activation Log