In a 2024 LOI, OSHA reiterated its position that an Eyewash (EW) station must be capable of delivering 15 minutes of water flow. This means these EW bottles are NOT an “approved” EW station. Even the double barrel wall mount with two (2) squirt bottles does not meet the minimum flow rates.
However, OSHA has stated that these squirt bottles CAN help flush a worker’s eyes; they just cannot be the sole source.
Here is what OSHA said: (emphasis by me)
| OSHA has previously stated that for small spills, a faucet or small hand-held unit could be used, provided that all affected parts could be reached. Similarly, for eyewashes, units may be portable if they permit the eye to be flushed for at least 15 minutes. For this reason, bottle-type eyewashes are NOT an acceptable alternative to a 15-minute eyewash. However, the interim aid provided with a smaller amount of eyewash from a bottle in certain situations – that an employer would evaluate in their hazard analysis – may provide temporary relief to allow an injured employee to get to a nearby approved eyewash station (see OSHA letter to Robert Schumate, Nov. 6, 2020). The degree of sophistication of the emergency device varies with the size of the potential splash. |
CLICK HERE for the LOI