One of the most important habits you can adopt to prevent infection is washing your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizing gel to kill the germs that cause so many illnesses. In the summer of 2001 outbreaks of E. coli infection at county fairs in Ohio and Wisconsin caused 84 people to become ill. On average E. coli bacteria are responsible for 73,000 cases of infection and 61 deaths in the United States each year.
You accumulate germs on your hands from a variety of sources:
- When your hands are visibly dirty
- After using the washroom or changing diapers
- After blowing your nose or sneezing in your hands
- Before and after eating, handling food, drinking, or smoking
- After handling garbage
- After handling pets, animals, or animal waste
If you don’t get into the habit of cleaning your hands frequently, you can infect yourself with germs by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. And when you touch other people or the surfaces they touch (such as doorknobs and faucets), you can spread these germs. Infectious diseases commonly spread through direct contact with other people include the common cold, influenza, and gastrointestinal disorders.
We recommend that you protect your employees and guests at your event by renting either restroom units with sinks or free-standing portable sinks.
OSHA Construction Sanitation Standards
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) requires that mobile crews have prompt access to nearby toilet facilities. The organization states that toilets shall be provided for employees according to the following table:
| Number of Employees |
|
Min. Number of Facilities |
| 20 or less |
|
1 |
| 20 or more |
|
1 toilet seat and 1 urinal
per 40 workers |
| 200 or more |
|
1 toilet seat and 1 urinal
per 50 workers |
For more information about OSHA requirements, click on www.osha.gov.
ADA Compliance
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has set the standard for ADA-compliant restrooms. Regulations require that 5% of all portable restrooms and at least one unit per cluster are ADA compliant, except on construction sites. These units offer easy wheelchair access and don’t require a ramp.
Contact us to ensure that hand-washing facilities are available at your next event. |
