The Benefits of a Portable Toilet and Sink Combo for Jobsite Sanitation Compliance
Proper sanitation on a jobsite is not just convenient; it’s also an important part of remaining in compliance with health and safety standards. Using a combination portable toilet and sink is a practical solution to the problem of maintaining OSHA compliance and site hygiene. Because two essential facilities are combined into a single unit, workers can more easily access both the restroom and the handwashing stations, with no separate setups required. Space-saving and efficient, this set up simplifies logistics and reduces the need for multiple service points, which can be extremely helpful on small or crowded sites. Workers are provided with necessary toilets, and handwashing is made convenient, in order to encourage proper handwashing and prevent disease.
OSHA Restroom Requirements and Handwashing Requirements
OSHA requirements state that if you employ more than 11 hand laborers in the field, you must provide hand washing facilities. For every 20 workers, there must be one portable toilet, and that toilet must be within reasonable proximity to the workers. Handwashing stations can’t just contain hand sanitizer, either. They must have water, soap, and single use towels or a hand dryer. These requirements aren’t arbitrary; they’re meant to address the needs of the workers. Construction site workers often have long shifts, and they need easy access to restrooms, so OSHA mandates no restriction to their rights to use the restroom. If they have to walk offsite to do so, it cuts into the workday, adding time to breaks, and reducing productivity.
Why Toilets Alone Aren’t Enough
Toilets are, of course, necessary. They provide privacy for workers and protect the environment from poorly placed waste. However, providing workers with toilets is only half of the solution. Handwashing is absolutely essential, not only to prevent the spread of pathogens, but also to allow workers to wash away any hazardous material with which they’ve come into contact. That is why OSHA regulations specifically address the matter of sanitation through the washing of hands. Construction workers should wash their hands after using the toilet, after handling anything that could be hazardous, and before eating, smoking, or leaving for home.
Benefits of Pairing Toilets with a Handwashing Station for Worksites
A bathroom/handwashing station combo is really an obvious choice. If workers need easy access to restrooms, and they need to wash their hands after using the facilities, it makes perfect sense to pair a toilet with a handwashing station, for a few different reasons. First, it helps workers to remember to wash their hands after using the toilet, and this prevents the spread of bacteria and viruses. Next, it makes it easier for them to follow through with handwashing, since they don’t have to walk anywhere else to do so.
Available Combo Options
Portable restroom and handwashing combos use a holding tank to provide fresh running water. The most common choice for construction sites is the deluxe toilet, which has a flushable toilet, running water, soap dispensers, and paper towels. This type of portable toilet also features a spacious interior with indoor lighting, features like mirrors and coat hooks, and climate-appropriate ventilation. A step up from that is the restroom trailer. Restroom trailers are available in a variety of sizes and configurations, to meet the needs of the user. These are typically used at parties, festivals, and weddings, but they can be used at a construction site if so desired. Available in two, four, six, and ten station models, they feature flushable toilets, urinals, sinks, soap, and paper towels. There is also an ADA option, which provides accessibility for all guests, with a ramp for wheelchair access, an oversized stall, and plenty of room to maneuver, as well as the features found in the other restroom trailers.
Best Practices for Compliance
To break down OSHA requirements, construction job sites are required to offer workers prompt and unrestricted access to toilets, which must be located within reasonable proximity to their work areas. There should be at least one toilet for every one to 20 workers, plus one more if the group has 21 to 200 people, and one more for every 50 workers once you pass 200. These restrooms must be clean and well-appointed, and for larger sites, ADA-compliant restrooms are recommended. Compliance should not just be about adhering to the letter of the law, but about creating a comfortable and productive work environment.
Industries that Benefit Most
Any industry that needs portable toilets will benefit from choosing a combination toilet/ handwashing station. However, the ones that benefit most are construction, oil and gas operations, events, emergency response, and government operations. Construction crews, often working in places without permanent facilities, need access to toilets and handwashing. Oil and gas operators can use restroom trailers at well pads or staging areas for an extended time. Any outdoor event, from an intimate wedding to a large festival, would do well to use restroom trailers. Emergency response to events like severe weather or flooding should include bathroom trailers, and government agencies can use them for polling places, temporary shelters, and other such applications.
For Workplace Hygiene Solutions, Look to Complete Site Solutions
Whether you’re setting up a job site or an outdoor event, cleanliness should be at the top of your priorities. That’s why one of your first calls should be to Complete Site Solutions, a family-owned and operated business that provides portable toilets and sanitation services, offering personalized service and exceptional customer care. Our dedicated team is on a mission to elevate the quality of portable toilets and sanitation services, providing our customers with the outstanding cleanliness and accessibility. This commitment to excellence has made us the local leader for portable toilet rentals in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, and we handle projects of any size and scope with the attention and care you’d expect from a family-run business. Contact us now for more information about how we can help you plan your next event or outfit your work site.