General industry and construction, side by side
The same question has two answers because OSHA writes two sets of rules. A shop, plant, warehouse or office follows 29 CFR part 1910. A construction jobsite follows 29 CFR part 1926.
| Topic | General industry (29 CFR 1910) | Construction (29 CFR 1926) |
|---|---|---|
| The rule | 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.29 CFR 1910.151(c) | 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.29 CFR 1926.50(g) |
| How much corrosive material triggers it | OSHA has said there is no threshold quantity of corrosive material that triggers the requirement.OSHA interpretation 2007-02-27, 29 CFR 1910.151(c) | The construction paragraph has the same wording as 1910.151(c). Exposure of the eyes or body to injurious corrosive materials is its trigger.29 CFR 1926.50(g) |
| What equipment counts as suitable | The paragraph gives no equipment specifications. OSHA has said the standard does not set specifications for emergency eyewash and shower equipment.OSHA interpretation 2007-02-27, 29 CFR 1910.151(c) | The paragraph gives no equipment specifications for the facilities, a plumbed unit or a portable one.29 CFR 1926.50(g) |
| The eye protection that goes with it | The employer ensures each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids.29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1) | The employer ensures each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids.29 CFR 1926.102(a)(1) |
What is OSHA's rule and what is not
| Level | What it says |
|---|---|
| OSHA interpretation | In its letter of April 18, 2002, OSHA said ANSI Z358.1 was not adopted by OSHA, that it has often referred employers to it as a source of guidance, and that a citation for failing to provide suitable drenching or flushing facilities is issued under 1910.151(c).OSHA interpretation 2002-04-18, 29 CFR 1910.151(c) |
| Consensus standard | ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 is the consensus standard for emergency eyewash and shower equipment. It gives specifications such as flow rates, flushing time, location and testing. It is not an OSHA requirement, and it is not listed among the standards incorporated by reference in 1910.6 or 1926.6.OSHA interpretation 2002-04-18 |
| OSHA interpretation | For battery charging and maintenance areas, an OSHA instruction of 1982 says eyewash equipment should provide water at a suitable temperature, generally between 60 °F and 105 °F.OSHA interpretation 1982-03-08, 29 CFR 1910.151(c) |
| Recommended practice | Testing plumbed units on a schedule and keeping a log is recommended, not required, by the OSHA paragraph. ANSI Z358.1 covers installation, testing and maintenance.29 CFR 1910.151(c) and 29 CFR 1926.50(g) |
Does your state do it differently?
Some states run their own State Plan and write their own text, so the federal paragraphs above describe federal OSHA states. Look up your state on the State Plans page and read its rule before you rely on the federal wording.
What OSHA cited most under these standards in FY2025
| Paragraph | What it covers | FY2025 citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1910.151(c) | Quick drenching or flushing facilities where corrosives are used | 815 |
| 1910.151(b) | Trained person and first aid supplies | 107 |
| 1910.151(a) | 4 | |
| 1926.50(c) | Person trained in first aid at the worksite | 114 |
| 1926.50(g) | Quick drenching or flushing facilities where corrosives are used | 51 |
| 1926.50(d)(1) | 22 | |
| 1926.50(b) | 9 | |
| 1926.50(a) | 2 | |
| 1926.50(e) | 1 |
1910.151: 926 citations in FY2025 at 913 inspections, 46 of them at construction sites (NAICS 23). 1926.50: 200 citations in FY2025 at 190 inspections, 188 of them at construction sites (NAICS 23). Citation items issued Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025, counted by HazComFast on U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data (extracted Oct 13, 2026). Inspected establishments, not the whole industry.
Mistakes that turn up in inspections
- Treating a squeeze bottle as the whole answer for a hazard that can reach the body. The paragraph names facilities for the eyes and body, and what is suitable depends on the exposure.29 CFR 1910.151(c) and 29 CFR 1926.50(g)
- Putting the unit out of the work area, behind a locked door or at the far end of a floor. The text says within the work area for immediate emergency use.29 CFR 1910.151(c) and 29 CFR 1926.50(g)
- Assuming a small quantity of acid or caustic is exempt. OSHA has said no threshold quantity of corrosive material triggers the requirement.OSHA interpretation 2007-02-27, 29 CFR 1910.151(c)
- Writing ANSI Z358.1 into the program as if OSHA required it. OSHA did not adopt it and uses it as guidance. An employer can follow it, and the SDS for the product says what first aid it calls for.OSHA interpretation 2002-04-18, 29 CFR 1910.151(c)
Free tool
A count at each check, a log of supplies used, and the first aid arrangements of 1910.151 and 1926.50, in PDF or Word.