Episode 168 tackles a deceptively simple question — how often should eyewash stations be checked? — and uses it to highlight a bigger leadership issue: safety systems fail when leaders allow convenience to override standards. Dr. Ayers explains that eyewash units must be activated weekly, not monthly, because stagnant water, sediment, and biofilm can make an eyewash unusable in an emergency.
This episode is really about discipline, drift, and leadership accountability.
Eyewash stations must be:
Activated weekly
Flushed long enough to clear stagnant water
Checked for flow, clarity, and temperature
Monthly checks are not enough — water stagnates quickly.
When eyewashes sit unused:
Bacteria grows
Sediment settles
Lines corrode
Water becomes contaminated
Valves stick or seize
A contaminated eyewash can injure a worker instead of helping them.
Leaders often slip into monthly checks because:
“Nothing ever happens”
It’s more convenient
They assume the equipment is fine
No one is watching
This is the same drift that weakens other safety systems.
Weekly activation:
Ensures the unit works
Keeps water fresh
Identifies failures early
Reinforces accountability
Builds a habit of vigilance
It’s a small task with huge consequences.
Dr. Ayers emphasizes that leaders must:
Reinforce weekly checks
Verify, not assume
Treat eyewash maintenance as essential
Hold teams accountable
Model consistency
If leaders treat eyewash checks casually, the team will too.
Episode 168 isn’t just about eyewash stations — it’s about leadership discipline. Weekly activation is a simple, non‑negotiable requirement that protects workers. When leaders allow monthly checks to become the norm, they signal that convenience outranks safety. Strong safety cultures are built on small, consistent actions.
