1926.50(g): Emergency Eyewash and Drench Facilities
Where a person's eyes or body may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, construction employers must provide suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body within the work area for immediate emergency use.
Key takeaways
- 1926.50(g) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 135 times in the last 3 years, in 135 inspections, with $255,463 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (55), TN (21), VA (12).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.50(g) is one requirement inside 1926.50 Medical services and first aid, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart D). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(g) 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. 135 citations
First aid supplies are required to be easily accessible under paragraph § 1926.50(d)(1). An example of the minimal contents of a generic first aid kit is described in American National Standard (ANSI) Z308.1-1978 “Minimum Requirements for Industrial Unit-Type First-aid Kits”. The contents of the kit listed in the ANSI standard should be adequate for small work sites. When larger operations or multiple operations are being conducted at the same location, employers should determine the need for additional first aid kits at the worksite, additional types of first aid equipment and supplies and additional quantities and types of supplies and equipment in the first aid kits.
In a similar fashion, employers who have unique or changing first-aid needs in their workplace may need to enhance their first-aid kits. The employer can use the OSHA 300 log, OSHA 301 log, or other reports to identify these unique problems. Consultation from the local fire/rescue department, appropriate medical professional, or local emergency room may be helpful to employers in these circumstances. By assessing the specific needs of their workplace, employers can ensure that reasonably anticipated supplies are available. Employers should assess the specific needs of their worksite periodically and augment the first aid kit appropriately.
If it is reasonably anticipated employees will be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials while using first-aid supplies, employers should provide personal protective equipment (PPE). Appropriate PPE includes gloves, gowns, face shields, masks and eye protection (see “Occupational Exposure to Blood borne Pathogens”, 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)) (56 FR 64175).
[44 FR 8577, Feb. 9, 1979; 44 FR 20940, Apr. 6, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 18295, Apr. 30, 1984; 58 FR 35084, June 30, 1993; 61 FR 5510, Feb. 13, 1996; 63 FR 33469, June 18, 1998; 76 FR 80740, Dec. 27, 2011; 84 FR 21575, May 14, 2019]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.50.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.50(g).
At 11:30 a.m. on February 28, 2025, Employee #1 and Employee #2 and Coworker #1 and Coworker #2 , were applying CTS Cement Rapid Set Mortar Mix on an exposed fieldstone foundation wall to reinforce the deteriorating wall. The crew was working inside a trench…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 50 |
| 2025 | 47 |
| 2026 | 25 |
Top states: MD (55), TN (21), VA (12), GA (11), PA (8)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TBC THE BORING COMPANY | LAS VEGAS, NV | $14,063 |
| LOBAR, INC. | BERNVILLE, PA | $13,000 |
| HAMPTON ROADS CONNECTOR PARTNERS | NORFOLK, VA | $10,730 |
| O&M MULTI-TRADE, INC. | WAYMART, PA | $8,276 |
| DESERT PLASTERING LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $8,038 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.50(g), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Region V request for enforcment guidance on portland cement and hexavalent chromium (2010-10-18)
- Request to provide list of corrosive materials and concentrations requiring use of emergency eyewashes and showers. (2008-04-14)
- Requirements for emergency eyewashes and showers. (1994-09-30)
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Frequently asked questions
When is an eyewash or drench station required in construction?
Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials.
Where must the facility be located?
Within the work area, for immediate emergency use.
What must the facility do?
Provide quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.50 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.