OSHA

Chapter 8
Sanitation & Health
OSHA Washroom, Toilet
and Water Supply Requirements
Water quality and toilet and washing facilities are subject
to OSHA regulation. Proper sanitary facilities are particu-
larly important where employees are exposed to hazard-
ous substances, and are required in several sections that
deal with health hazards. General industry must comply
with 1910.141, summarized here. Employment-related
housing must conform to 1910.142, Temporary Labor
Camps, which includes paragraphs on water supply and
sanitary facilities.
Requirements from the General Industry
Standards
Sanitation (1910.141)
(b.1) Potable water. (i) Provide, in all workplaces, potable
water for drinking, personal washing, cooking, food wash-
ing, dish washing, food preparation and processing, pre-
mises washing and personal service rooms (medical, toilet,
washroom, eating, etc.).
(b.1.iii) Portable drinking water dispensers must be made
and serviced to maintain sanitary conditions, be capable of
being closed and have a tap.
(b.1.v) Open containers (barrels, pails or tanks) for dipping
or pouring drinking water are prohibited, even if they have a
cover.
(b.1.vi) Common drinking cups and other common uten-
sils are prohibited.
(b.2) Nonpotable water. (i) Outlets for nonpotable water,
such as water for firefighting or other industrial purposes,
must be clearly labeled unsafe for purposes of drinking,
washing the clothes or the person, food preparation or
cleanup (including food processing premises) or personal
service rooms.
(b.2.ii) Systems carrying nonpotable water or another
substance not fit for drinking must be constructed so that
backflow or backsiphonage to a drinking water system is
prevented.
(b.2.iii) Nonpotable water must not be used for washing
people, clothing, cooking or eating utensils. Nonpotable
water that is free of chemicals or other substances that
could be unsanitary or harmful to employees, however, is
acceptable for cleaning work areas unrelated to food ser-
vices or personal activities
(c) Toilet facilities. (i) The number of toilet facilities in
rooms separate for each sex must be in accordance with
Table J-1. Separate toilet rooms for men and women are
not necessary where a room with at least one water closet
will be used by only one person at a time and locks fromthe
inside. If a room with more than one toilet facility is to be
used by only one person at a time, count that as only one
facility when referring to Table J-1.
(c.1.ii) The preceding toilet facilities requirements do not
apply to work crews that are mobile or work areas normally
unoccupied, provided that mobile employees have imme-
diate access to transportation to nearby toilet facilities that
meet all of the following requirements.
(c.1.iii) The sewage disposal method used must not en-
danger employee health.
(c.2.i) A separate compartment must be provided for each
water closet with a door and walls (or partitions) high
enough to ensure privacy.
(d) Washing facilities. (1) Keep washing facilities sanitary.
(d.2.i) Lavatories must be available in all places of em-
ployment. These lavatory requirements do not apply to mo-
bile crews or normally unattended work locations if
employees at such locations have readily available trans-
portation to facilities nearby that meet these requirements.
(d.2.ii) Running water, either hot-and-cold or tepid, must
be provided at each lavatory.
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Table J-1
Number of
Employees
Minimum Number of
Water Closets
1
1 to 15
16 to 35
36 to 55
56 to 80
81 to 110
111 to 150
Over 150
1
2
3
4
5
6
additional fixture for each
additional 40 employees.
1
Where women will not be using the toilet facilities, urinals may
be substituted for not more than one-third of the minimum
number of water closets specified.
(d.2.iii) Supply a cleansing agent, such as hand soap.
(d.2.iv) Provide cloth or paper toweling or warm air blow-
ers in the lavatories.
(d.3.i) When a standard requires showers, they must meet
the following requirements: (ii) one shower must be pro-
vided for each 10 (or fewer) employees of each sex required
to shower during the same shift; (iii) appropriate cleansing
agents, such as body soap, must be convenient to the
showers; (iv) hot and cold water feeding a common dis-
charge line must be provided; and (v) individual clean tow-
els for employees who use showers must be provided.
(e) Change rooms. Change rooms with separate storage
facilities for street clothes and protective clothing must be
provided for employees who are required to wear protective
clothing to avoid possible contamination with toxic sub-
stances.
(f) Clothes drying facilities. If work clothes become wet
in use or are washed between uses, they must be dry be-
fore reuse.
Requirements from the Agriculture Standards
Field Sanitation (1928.110)
(a) This section applies to any agricultural establishment
where 11 or more employees are engaged on any given day
in hand-labor operations in the field.
(b) Please consult the full text of the standard for defini-
tions applicable to this section.
(c) Agricultural employers must provide the following for
employees engaged in hand-labor operations in the field,
without cost to the worker.
(c.1) Potable drinking water. (i) Potable drinking water
must be provided and placed in readily accessible loca-
tions to all employees.
(c.1.ii) Water must be suitably cool and in sufficient
amounts to meet the needs of all employees.
(c.1.iii) Water must be dispensed in single-use drinking
cups or by fountains.
(c.2) Toilet and handwashing facilities. (i) Provide one
toilet facility and one hand-washing facility for every 20
workers, or fraction thereof, except as stated in (c.2.v).
(c.2.ii) Toilet facilities must be ventilated, appropriately
screened, have self-closing doors that can be closed and
latchedfromthe inside andbe constructedto ensure privacy.
(c.2.iii) Toilet and hand-washing facilities must be acces-
sible and in close proximity to each other. They must be lo-
cated within a one-quarter mile walk of each workers place
of work in the field.
(c.2.iv) Where it is not possible to locate facilities as re-
quired above due to terrain, the facilities must be located at
the point of closest vehicular access.
(c.2.v) Toilet and handwashing facilities are not required
for workers who perform fieldwork for three hours or less
during the day (including transportation time to and from
the field).
(c.3) Maintenance. Potable drinking water and toilet and
handwashing facilities must be maintained in accordance
with appropriate public health sanitation rules, including
the following: (i) drinking water containers must be made of
materials that maintain water quality, be refilled daily or
more often if needed, be kept covered and be cleaned reg-
ularly; (ii) toilet facilities must be kept operational and main-
tained in a clean, sanitary condition; (iii) refill handwashing
facilities with potable water as necessary to ensure an ade-
quate supply and maintain them in a clean and sanitary
condition; and (iv) disposal of wastes from facilities must
not cause an unsanitary condition.
(c.4) Reasonable use. Employers must notify each em-
ployee of the location of sanitation facilities and water and
allow the employee reasonable opportunities to use the
facilities. Employers must inform employees of the impor-
tance of each of the following good hygiene practices in or-
der to minimize exposure to heat, communicable diseases,
retention of urine and agricultural residues: (i) use water and
facilities provided for drinking, handwashing and elimina-
tion; (ii) drink water frequently, especially on hot days; (iii)
urinate as frequently as needed; (iv) wash hands before and
after using the toilet; and (v) wash hands before eating and
smoking.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency
Response (1910.120)
(n) Sanitation at temporary workplaces. (1.i) Provide an
adequate supply of potable water at the site.
(n.1.ii) Water containers must be able to be closed tightly
and equipped with a tap. Water cannot be dipped from
containers.
(n.1.iii) Containers used to distribute water must be
clearly marked and not used for any other purpose.
(n.1.iv) Where single service cups (to be used only once)
are supplied, both a sanitary container for the unused cups
and a receptacle for disposing of the used cups must be
provided.
(n.2.i) Outlets for nonpotable water must be marked to in-
dicate that the water is unsafe for drinking, washing or
cooking.
(n.2.ii) There must be no cross-connection, open or po-
tential, between potable and nonpotable water systems.
(n.3.i) Toilets must be provided for employees according
to Table H-120.2. (See Table D-1 of 1926.51, which is the
same).
(n.3.ii) Under temporary field conditions, at least one toilet
facility must be available.
(n.3.iii) Hazardous waste sites not provided with a sani-
tary sewer must be provided with the following unless pro-
hibited by local codes: (A) chemical toilets; (B) recirculating
toilets; (C) combustion toilets; or (D) flush toilets.
(n.3.iv) Requirements of this paragraph must not apply to
mobile crews with transportation readily available to nearby
toilet facilities.
(n.3.v) Provide doors with entrance locks controlled from
inside the facility.
(n.6) Employers must provide adequate washing facilities
during hazardous waste operations that are near the
worksite and in an area where exposures are belowpermis-
sible levels. They must be equipped so that employees can
remove hazardous substances from themselves.
(n.7) When hazardous waste cleanup operations at a site
will last six months or more, employers must provide show-
ers and change rooms for employees exposed to hazard-
ous substances.
(n.7.i) Showers must meet the requirements of
1910.141(d.3).
(n.7.ii) Change rooms must meet the requirements of
1910.141(e). Change rooms must consist of two separate
change areas separated by the shower required in (n.7.i).
One area, with an exit leading off the worksite, must provide
employees with a clean area where they can remove, store
and put on street clothing. The second area, with an exit to
the worksite, must provide employees with an area where
they can put on, remove and store work clothing and per-
sonal protective equipment.
(n.7.iii) Both must be located in areas where exposures
are below allowed limits. Otherwise, a ventilation system
must be provided to provide such air.
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(n.7.iv) Employers must ensure that employees shower at
the end of a work shift and when leaving the hazardous
waste site.
General Requirements for Dipping and Coating
Operations (1910.124)
(g.3) Hygiene facilities. Employers must provide at least
one basin with a hot-water faucet for every 10 employees
who work with liquids that may burn, irritate or otherwise
harm the skin.
Bloodborne Pathogens (1910.1030)
(d.2.iii) Employers must provide handwashing facilities
that are readily accessible to employees.
(d.2.iv) When the provision of handwashing facilities is not
feasible, employers must provide either an appropriate an-
tiseptic hand cleanser in conjunction with clean cloth/paper
towels or antiseptic towelettes. When antiseptic hand
cleansers or towelettes are used, hands must be washed
with soap and running water as soon as feasible.
(d.2.v) Employers must ensure that employees wash their
hands immediately or as soon as feasible after the removal
of gloves or other personal protective equipment.
(d.2.vi) Employers must ensure that employees wash their
hands and any other skin with soap and water, or flush mu-
cous membranes with water immediately or as soon as fea-
sible following contact of such body areas with blood or
other potentially infectious materials.
(Editors note: Many of the air contaminants standards in
subpart Z include requirements for sanitary wash-up and
locker room facilities. For summaries of these standards,
please refer to the In-Plant Air Monitoring & Analysis sec-
tion of the Directory.)
Requirements from the Construction Standards
Sanitation (1926.51)
(a) Potable water. (1) Provide an adequate supply of po-
table water in all places of employment.
(a.2) Portable drinking water containers must be kept
tightly closed and equipped with a tap. Water must not be
dipped from containers.
(a.3) Drinking water containers must be clearly marked
and used for no other purpose.
(a.4) Common drinking cups are prohibited.
(a.5) Single-service cups must be dispensed from a sani-
tary container and disposed of in the receptacle provided.
(a.6) Potable water means water that meets quality stan-
dards prescribed in U.S. Public Health Service Drinking
Water Standards, or water approved for drinking purposed
by a state or local authority.
(b) Nonpotable water. (1) Outlets for nonpotable water
must be identified by clearly visible signs that indicate the
water is unsafe for drinking, washing or cooking purposes.
(b.2) There must be no possible cross-connection be-
tween potable and nonpotable water systems.
(c) Toilets at construction jobsites. (1) Provide toilets
according to Table D-1.
(c.2) At least one toilet facility must be available under
temporary field conditions.
(c.3) Jobsites not provided with a sanitary sewer must
have: (i) privies (where their use will not contaminate ground
or surface water); (ii) chemical toilets; (iii) recirculating toi-
lets; or (iv) combustion toilets.
(c.4) The requirements of this paragraph do not apply to
mobile crews with readily available transportation to nearby
toilet facilities.
(f) Washing facilities. Provide adequate washing facilities
for employees working with paints, coatings, herbicides, in-
secticides or other potentially harmful contaminants. Such
facilities must be nearby and equipped to enable employees
to remove such substances.
(f.2-4) These requirements are the same as 1910.141(d).
Requirements from the Maritime Standards
The Maritime standards mention sanitation briefly. The Ship
Repairing, Shipbuilding and Shipbreaking (1915) standards
are concerned with the importance of personal hygiene when
employees are working with or around toxic substances. The
Marine Terminals standard (1917) contains a section on sani-
tation, as does the Longshoring standard (1918).
Health and Sanitation (1915.97)
(a) Employers must provide necessary controls, and
workers must be protected by suitable personal protective
equipment, against those hazards detailed in 1915.99 and
those for which specific precautions are required in
Subparts B, C and D.
(b) Employers must provide adequate washing facilities
for employees working with paints or coatings, or in any
other operation in which contaminants can be ingested or
absorbed that may be detrimental to their health. Em-
ployees must be informed of the need to remove surface
contaminants by thorough washing of the face and hands
prior to eating or smoking.
(c) Employers must not permit employees to eat or smoke
in areas that are undergoing surface preparation or preser-
vation, or in areas where shipbreaking operations may pro-
duce atmospheric contaminants.
(d) Employers must not permit employees engaged in
ship repair work on a vessel to work in the immediate vicin-
ity of uncovered garbage. They must ensure that those
working beneath or on the outboard side of a vessel are not
subject to contamination by drainage or waste from over-
board discharges.
(e) Minors under age 18 must not be employed in
shipbreaking or related work.
Sanitation (1917.127)
(a) Washing and toilet facilities. (1) Accessible washing
and toilet facilities sufficient for the sanitary requirements of
employees must be provided. These facilities must have: (i)
running water (hot-and-cold or tepid) at a minimum of one
accessible location; (ii) soap; (iii) individual hand towels,
sections of clean continuous toweling or warm air blowers;
and (iv) fixed or portable toilets with latch equipped doors in
separate compartments. Except when toilet rooms will be
occupied by only one person at a time, separate facilities
for men and women are required.
(a.2) Washing and toilet facilities must be regularly
cleaned and maintained in good working order.
(b) Drinking water. (1) Potable drinking water must be ac-
cessible to employees at all times.
(b.2) Potable drinking water containers must be clean,
contain only water and ice and be fitted with covers.
(b.3) Common drinking cups are prohibited.
Sanitation (1918.95)
(a-b) Same as 1917.127(a-b).
OSHA
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Table D-1
Number of
Employees
Minimum Number
of Facilities
20 or less
20 or more
200 or more
1
1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers
1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 50 workers