Nothing wastes more time on the job than forcing employees to wait in long lines to use the portable toilets. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has guidelines in place to ensure you have a legal restroom system that helps keep costs down and boosts morale at your construction site. Here are the practices to follow.

The OSHA Restroom Rules & Regulations

OSHA requires every construction site to have a set amount of portable toilets based on the number of employees. Toilets must be readily available to use at every job site, whether on location or immediately nearby. Employers must allow employees to leave work locations to use the restroom when necessary and to avoid imposing restrictions on restroom use. However, they recommend proper safety measures like having locking doors and requiring workers to sign out a key before accessing the toilet. All facilities must be sanitary to ensure employees do not suffer from poor health effects that come with unsanitary restrooms.

Number of Portable Toilets Required

How many portable toilets should be available at your job site depends on the number of your current workforce. OSHA requires employers to have the following:

• 1-15 Employees: one restroom
• 16-35 Employees: two restrooms
• 36-55 Employees: three restrooms
• 56-80 Employees: four restrooms
• 81-110 Employees: five restrooms
• 111-150 Employees: six restrooms
• Over 150 Employees: one extra restroom for each additional 40 employees

Employers must offer toilet facilities that contain at least one water closet, a locking mechanism from the inside, and separate toilet rooms for each sex based on the gender diversity of the workforce. Water closets may be unisex if only one person can access a portable toilet at any given time.

Why These Regulations Are Necessary

These rules were set not only to give workers proper restroom allowances but also to ensure they don't waste precious company time. Having an adequate number of toilets available prevents employees from waiting to use the restroom — time that otherwise could have been spent working. Furthermore, adhering to sanitation requirements keeps employees happy and healthy. Unclean restrooms are a cesspool for developing mold and harmful bacteria that can lead to strep throat, stomach viruses, respiratory problems, and asthma attacks.

Apollo Portable Toilets & Pumping Service, LLC, in Mexico, MO, makes it easy for you to have clean and convenient portable toilets at your job site. Whether you need a solution for a construction site, outdoor event, or residential or commercial space, their experienced team will cater to your restroom needs. Visit their website or call (573) 581-6306 to speak with a team member today.