The Humboldt Builders’ Exchange Safety and Insurance Committee provide the following safety topic as a service to its members. These instructions do not supersede local, state or federal regulations

CONSTRUCTION SITE HYGIENE

Reprinted with permission from State Compensation Insurance Fund

Construction site hygiene encourages good housekeeping, provides workers with clean drinking water, sanitary restrooms, and washing facilities to clean up. Access to clean water and restrooms encourages good hygiene on the job and helps avoid cross contamination to safeguard worker health and safety.

Good housekeeping isn’t just important at home, it’s critical for construction safety. Ensure that trash and debris on the jobsite make it to the proper receptacles. Clean up the jobsite after major tasks or at least daily; avoid the buildup of hazardous, flammable, or combustible materials. Stack scrap lumber out of the way and remove protruding nails. Keep walkways, stairs, and work areas clear. Walking surfaces should be as level as possible and have adequate fall protection from heights.

Clean drinking water can be provided by plumbed drinking fountains or in clean portable containers. Make sure that portable water containers are clearly labeled and have drinking fountain spouts or faucets that can be used to fill single-use water cups; water should not be dipped from the container. If there is a non-potable (non-drinkable) water source on the site, it should be clearly labeled that the water is not safe for drinking, washing, or cooking.

Separate bathroom facilities are required for every 20 employees (or fewer) of each sex on a job site. For example, if there are 30 men and 10 women, a total of 3 is bathrooms required. The bathrooms may contain a toilet and urinal, but half must have a toilet. On job sites fewer than 5 employees, separate bathrooms for each sex are not required if they can be locked and contain a toilet. Bathrooms should be private and in good working order with an adequate supply of toilet paper. Ideally, inspect and clean bathroom facilities at least daily.

Washing facilities on the jobsite allow workers to wash their hands and avoid cross-contamination before eating, drinking, smoking, and/or heading home for the day. Workers can wash away harmful substances and use the washing area to service and decontaminate personal protective equipment (PPE). This is especially important to workers using potentially harmful substances such as paints, coatings, solvents, or other materials.

One washing station is required for every twenty (or fewer) employees on a jobsite. Wash areas should be clean with a good supply of water and soap, other skin cleansing agents, or special hazardous substance cleansing compounds. Wash stations require single-use drying towels or a warm-air hand dryer. Washing facilities must be located outside, but convenient to, bathroom facilities and should be labeled. On jobsites with fewer than 5 employees and only one portable toilet facility, the washing facility may be located inside the portable toilet station.

Do your part on the job to ensure good hygiene. Participate in site cleanup activities, clean as you go, and keep the worksite clear of debris, trash, and hazardous substances. Use washing facilities to clean your hands and avoid cross-contamination. Immediately report unsanitary or hazardous conditions on the jobsite to your supervisor.

There’s no in-between when it comes to clean; practice good hygiene!

The above evaluations and/or recommendations are for general guidance only and should not be relied upon for legal compliance purposes. They are based solely on the information provided to us and relate only to those conditions specifically discussed. We do not make any warranty, expressed or implied, that your workplace is safe or healthful or that it complies with all laws, regulations or standards 
©State Compensation Insurance Fund.

Company Name

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Supervisor’s Signature

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Meeting Attended By:

ý___________________________________  ý___________________________________

ý___________________________________  ý___________________________________

ý___________________________________  ý___________________________________

State Compensation Insurance Fund