Part of managing a construction site is providing sanitary facilities for your workforce. Ensuring that there are enough toilets on site is crucial for maintaining productivity and meeting health regulations. But how do you calculate how many portable toilets you need per employee? Follow this guide to figure out how many portable toilets you need to rent for your construction site.
What Are the Osha Standards for Portable Bathrooms?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) general guidelines for the number of toilets needed on a construction site are as follows:
- 20 or fewer workers: At least 1 toilet
- 20 to 199 workers: 1 toilet and 1 urinal per 40 workers
- 200 or more workers: 1 toilet and 1 urinal per 50 workers
While these guidelines offer a starting point, other factors might necessitate additional units.
Construction Site Toilet Requirements: Five Factors to Consider
1. Number of Workers
The primary factor in determining the correct number of portable toilets is the size of your workforce. The more employees you have, the more facilities you will need to accommodate them.
2. Size of Worksite
The physical size of your construction site can also impact the number of portable restrooms you’ll need. Larger sites may require multiple units in different locations to ensure that all workers have convenient access.
3. Work Hours
How many hours per day will there be workers on the job? Sites with more shifts or longer hours may potentially increase the number of toilets needed to maintain productivity.
4. Duration of the Project
For long-term projects, you might need to increase the number of units to maintain hygiene standards and avoid overuse.
5. Regulations and Guidelines
It’s essential to comply with local and federal health and safety laws to avoid fines and ensure the well-being of your employees. Different regions have specific regulations regarding the provision of restrooms on construction sites. For instance, Maricopa County requires at least one toilet per 20 workers.
Calculation Example
Here is a practical example to demonstrate how you can calculate the number of portable toilets you need for your construction site.
Scenario:
- Number of workers: 100
- Work hours: 10 hours per day
- Project duration: 6 months
- Worksite size: Large site requiring multiple locations
Step-by-Step Calculation
1. Starting Point—OSHA Guidelines
For 100 workers, OSHA recommends 40 workers per unit. That’s 2.5 portable toilets, so you’ll need to round up to 3. Because OSHA requires 1 toilet and 1 urinal per 40 workers, you’ll need 3 toilets and 3 urinals.
2. Adjust for Work Hours
Since the workday is longer than the standard 8 hours, you’ll need to add extra units to prevent overuse. A general rule of thumb is to add 1 extra toilet for every 2 hours beyond the standard 8-hour day. That means you’re up to 4 toilets and 4 urinals for your job site.
3. Consider Worksite Size
Given the large size of the worksite, it’s important to distribute the portable restrooms to different locations for convenience. Splitting your 4 toilets and 4 urinals evenly across two separate locations (2 toilets and 2 urinals per location) should suffice.
Portable Toilet Rentals for Construction Sites in Arizona
At Rent-A-Can, we can help you determine the perfect number of units to ensure an efficient worksite and OSHA compliance. We provide high-quality, portable restrooms for construction sites throughout the Pinal, Pima, and Maricopa county areas. From standard portable toilets to luxury restroom trailers, we have units to suit all of your needs. Fill out our form today to request a quote.