Does OSHA require a minimum volume of portable eyewash solution in areas where workers are exposed to eye hazards from spatter from blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)?

OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030, covers reasonably anticipated work exposure to blood and OPIM. The standard prioritizes methods to prevent blood or OPIM from contacting eyes or mucous membranes but also requires the rapid flushing of mucous membranes with water. Specifically, 1910.1030(d)(2)(vi) says that employers shall flush mucous membranes with water immediately or as soon as feasible following contact of such body areas with blood or OPIM. Furthermore, the employer must take certain measures after an inadvertent employee exposure incident, as specified at 1910.1030(f).

Although the requirements in 1910.1030 do not specify a minimum volume of eyewash solution for treating employees whose eyes have been exposed to blood or OPIM, the obvious intent of the standard is that blood or OPIM be removed from the eyes. Therefore, sufficient water must be used to accomplish this goal. According to OSHA, although standards from the American National Standards Institute that are not incorporated in OSHA standards are not binding, they do provide technical information to help determine sufficiency.

ANSI Z358.1, American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment, explains that eyewash facilities should deliver flushing fluid to the eyes for not less than 1.5 liters per minute (0.4 gpm), for fifteen minutes. In light of this guidance, four-ounce or even sixteen-ounce bottles are insufficient to meet the requirement that blood or OPIM be sufficiently flushed from the eyes for 15 minutes. Instead, OSHA explains that a one-liter bag of saline or ringers lactate may be more appropriate in areas where an eyewash facility is unavailable, and this bag can be used until there is access to an eyewash facility capable of flushing the eyes for the recommended 15-minute period. Flooding the eye, including under upper and lower eyelids, simply requires more fluids.

Note that 29 CFR 1910.151(c) does not apply here. It applies only to exposure to corrosive materials. Paragraph 1910.151(c) specifies that “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.”