Portable toilets made their first appearances about 80 years ago. Since that time, more than a few people have come to turn up their noses at the thought of a restroom housed inside a tiny movable closet. Of course, many have also benefited immensely from having porta-potties around when there weren’t any other options available. Thanks to the many advantages of these modern conveniences, as well as the growing need for them, they’ve made their way to work sites, public events, and other places across the globe.
Understanding the Requirements for Portable Restrooms
Some companies make sure they have portable restrooms on job sites for their workers as a basic courtesy. Many people are unaware that stringent requirements are in place for these types of facilities as well. These apply to work sites specifically, such as construction areas and on jobs where providing conventional restrooms wouldn’t be possible or practical. For business owners and managers who are in charge of compliance and accommodating employees’ needs, knowing the regulations for Satellite portable restrooms is particularly important.
According to the latest standards set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the required number of portable toilets on a job site varies based on the number of employees working there. On sites with less than 20 workers, only one porta potty is required. For more than 20 workers, job sites should have no less than one toilet and one urinal for every 20 employees. Those with 200 workers or more should be equipped with at least one toilet and one urinal per 50 employees.
Looking Beyond the Basics
Those are the standard requirements for job sites where permanent restroom facilities aren’t available. It’s a good idea to look beyond simply remaining in compliance with the regulations, though. Different groups of workers often have varying needs. Consider how often crew members might need to use the restroom and whether everyone on the job will have the access they need to those portable toilets.
Think about others who might be coming to the job site and using the restrooms, too. These might include delivery drivers bringing in construction materials and drivers hauling away dirt and construction debris. They can’t always stop whenever they’d like to use the restroom, so portable toilets at the work sites they visit may be the only options available to them. If those types of outside contractors routinely come to a job site, they could cause a bit of congestion at the restrooms, though, keeping other employees from being able to take full advantage of them.
Size of the work site factors into the equation as well. Per regulations, portable restrooms need to be easily accessible for workers. They should be able to make their way to the facilities within 10 minutes. If that’s not possible, more porta-potties should be added to the mix. Sanitation is a consideration, too. Regulations developed by the American National Standards Institute state that portable toilets should be cleaned at least twice per week depending on the surrounding circumstances. Experts advise having handwashing stations on site as well to further foster cleanliness and reduce the spread of germs.
Keeping Workers Healthy and Happy
Providing restrooms for workers on job sites isn’t just a thoughtful gesture; it’s a necessity. It’s also a requirement based on national regulations. Failing to provide this convenience can result in hefty fines and other consequences. When determining the number of portable toilets required for a job site, factor in the number of people who will be using them, the size of the site, and other aspects. Be sure to keep sanitation in mind as well.
