Can personal protective equipment be used in lieu of eyewash/safety showers in cold environments, such as refrigerated warehouses?

29 CFR 1910.151(c) states, “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.” However, some people may believe that even where employees are exposed to ammonia used in refrigeration, the use of eyewash/safety showers in cold environments is impractical.

Someone asked OSHA directly, “Would OSHA accept the use of personal protective equipment in lieu of permanent or portable eyewash/safety showers in cold environments?” OSHA says the answer is no; the agency would not accept the use of personal protective equipment in lieu of eyewash/safety showers regardless of the environment. OSHA adds that there are emergency eyewash and safety shower products that have built-in heating elements for maintenance operations in cold environments. Source: 12/16/2015 OSHA interpretation.