If you manage a construction site, you know about Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for maintaining safe and healthy construction site environments.
OSHA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Labor that regulates procedures in the workplace. They create rules designed to maintain the health and safety of all employees on the job site. They are focused on health and safety because improper disposal of human waste leads to biohazards and health concerns, making workplace sanitation crucial.
OSHA has rigid guidelines to protect the health of all employees. One such regulation mandates employers to provide adequate restroom facilities for their workers, like construction portable toilets.
Maintaining OSHA compliance on construction sites is a team effort. Every team member must understand their role in health and safety to keep the worksite sanitary and hygienic. Learn more about how to ensure that your job site always meets OSHA standards.
OSHA Requirements for Construction Site Restrooms
OSHA mandates that contractors must provide adequate restroom facilities at every job site. They should be readily available and meet the following minimum requirements:
- One toilet for 20 employees or less.
- One urinal and one toilet seat for every 40 employees when 20 or more are employed.
- One urinal and one toilet seat for every 50 employees when there are 200 or more employees.
To further support health and safety at the job site, you may consider introducing other portable toilet options, such as restroom trailers and ADA-compliant facilities.
How to Ensure Your Site Meets OSHA Requirements
Having a clean environment at any worksite contributes to the overall productivity level of your employees. But it also reduces the chances of cross-contamination and accidental injuries.
Instead of a team reacting to an incident, everyone must work together to identify and resolve issues before they happen. This goal can be achieved by following a few of the OSHA recommended practices.
1. Lead by Example
Construction site managers often set the example for how the location will operate. When management practices safe behaviors, such as using hand sanitizer, others will be more likely to follow.
For example, if you rent handwashing units with portable toilet trailers, encourage everyone to follow the best practices of washing their hands after using portable units. Then, workers can return to the job site, which will help limit exposure to human waste.
2. Implement Reporting Systems
Leaks and spills happen, even in a portable toilet rental. When you have simple, well-known procedures for reporting risks, workers are more likely to report their concerns without fear of retribution. You may even have a source for anonymously reporting their hazards and concerns.
3. Provide Training
It’s one thing to have policies and procedures in place. It’s another thing to ensure they are understood. As part of your regular construction site training program, talk about the best uses of portable toilet units and handwash stations. Make sure everyone is comfortable reporting any issues or concerns they may find with construction portable toilets and supporting units.
Solid training, a reliable reporting system, and worker buy-in are great ways to comply with OSHA health and safety requirements. Otherwise, you risk costly non-compliance.
The Importance of Avoiding an OSHA Violation
When an OSHA requirement is violated, several outcomes can occur. Consequences range from minor fines to thousands of dollars per violation. These consequences can be avoided by working as a team to comply with all OSHA rules and regulations. The current maximum penalties include the following.
Serious or Other-than-Serious
- A serious violation occurs when the employer knows of a hazard that could impact the health and safety of others.
- Other-than-serious violations occur when there is a health or safety concern that doesn’t result in death.
Employers may receive a fine of up to $15,625 per violation, which could increase with repeat offenses.
Failure to Abate
Failure to abate occurs when an employer has been given a citation but fails to rectify the problem within the allotted time frame. Failing to correct the problem results in a fine of up to $15,625 per day until the issue gets resolved.
Willful and Repeated
Willful violations occur when the employer knowingly does not comply with a legal requirement and puts their employees in danger.
Repeated violations happen when the company is previously cited for the same offense. These violations can cost the employer up to $156,259 per violation.
Remain OSHA Compliant with Construction Portable Toilets
Make sure your construction site remains in compliance throughout the duration of the project work. We can help by ensuring that your workers have access to clean, sanitary, and accessible construction portable toilets.
Texas Outhouse rents portable toilet units and handwashing stations for construction job sites throughout the Greater Houston area.
Contact us today at 713-785-8050 to learn about our exceptionally clean portable toilet solutions that support OSHA requirements.
