Eye Wash Station Risk Assessment Form Template for England and Wales

An Eye Wash Station Risk Assessment Form is a mandatory health and safety document that evaluates workplace hazards requiring emergency eyewash facilities. Under England and Wales legislation, you must assess and document potential eye injury risks, specify appropriate eyewash equipment locations, and establish maintenance procedures to protect workers from chemical splashes, dust exposure, and other contamination risks.

When do you need this document?

You need this risk assessment whenever your workplace involves activities that could cause eye injuries or contamination. This includes chemical handling facilities, laboratories, manufacturing plants using acids or alkalis, construction sites with dust or debris, medical facilities, and food processing plants. The assessment is required before installing eyewash stations, during regular safety audits, when workplace processes change, and as part of annual health and safety reviews. Health and Safety Managers typically complete these assessments in consultation with Department Supervisors and Facility Managers who understand daily operational risks.

Key legal considerations

The form must comprehensively identify all workplace hazards requiring eyewash facilities, including chemical splash risks, particulate matter exposure, and biological contaminants. You must specify eyewash equipment that complies with British Standard BS EN 15154, document equipment locations within immediate reach of hazard areas, and establish regular testing and maintenance schedules. The assessment should include a risk evaluation matrix scoring likelihood and severity of potential injuries, existing control measures such as personal protective equipment, and emergency response procedures. You must also document staff training requirements, signage placement, and accessibility considerations for disabled workers. Regular review dates and responsibility assignments are essential for ongoing compliance.

Legal requirements in England and Wales

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers have a general duty to ensure worker safety and welfare, including provision of adequate first aid facilities. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 specifically require systematic risk assessments and management of workplace safety measures. COSHH Regulations 2002 mandate emergency eyewash facilities where hazardous substances are handled, while the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 govern eye protection requirements. The First Aid at Work Regulations 1981 establish specific workplace first aid standards. Your eyewash stations must meet BS EN 15154 standards for flow rate, water quality, and accessibility. The assessment must be conducted by competent persons, reviewed annually or when circumstances change, and made available to Health and Safety Executive inspectors upon request. Documentation must demonstrate that eyewash facilities are suitable, accessible, regularly maintained, and that staff receive appropriate training in their use.