Eyewash squeeze bottles

Small squeeze bottles containing a pint, or perhaps at most a quart, of water can supplement a plumbed eyewash station but are not acceptable as the sole eyewash devices. The basic problem is lack of volume. As a minimum, eyes suffering even a hght chemical bum need to be flooded with potable water for 15 to 20 minutes. The second problem is that the water in the bottle may become contaminated. Where plumbed water lines are not available, eyewash units connected to pressurized portable containers of water are acceptable substitutes if they contain sufficient amounts of water to meet the requirements of the plumbed units for at least 15 minutes. 

Personal eyewashes are supplementary stations that support plumbed units with immediate flushing fluid (a squeeze bottle, for example). 

Many portable eyewash stations have a capacity of 5 to 10 gallons for a maximum usefulness of 5 minutes. Squeeze bottles and other plastic container devices have even lower water capacities. 

Squeeze bottles are not acceptable eyewash units on their own. They cannot supply the required amount of water to adequately flush the eyes, and their use does not keep both hands free to hold the eyelids open. 

If squeeze bottles are provided for use as an interim protective measure, the training must address proper use in conjunction with the provided emergency eyewash. 

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