Portable toilets are a crucial component of any construction site, ensuring that workers have access to proper sanitation while maintaining compliance with industry regulations. This guide covers everything you need to know about portable toilets in the construction industry, including OSHA rules, rough pricing, best practices, and what to expect when you work with Wasted*.
Regulations for Portable Toilets on Construction Sites
In the bustling world of construction, maintaining clean and accessible sanitation is as essential as having the right tools on hand. OSHA guidelines often suggest that a portable toilet be available for roughly every 10 workers on site, with separate facilities provided to ensure that each gender has its own dedicated space. This straightforward approach helps keep everyone comfortable and contributes to a healthier working environment. OSHA specifically does not set portable sanitation standards and instead looks to ANSI standards to make determinations.
The ANSI Z4.3-2024 standard dives into more specifics. It calls for a minimum of one non-flushing toilet per 10 workers and one hand wash facility for every 20 workers when the cumulative work hours are under 400—with servicing required at least once every seven days. As work intensifies and labor hours accumulate, the number of facilities needs to increase accordingly to meet the higher demand.
Rough Pricing for Construction Site Portable Toilets
The cost of renting portable toilets varies based on location, duration, servicing frequency, and type of unit. Below are rough estimates for portable toilet rental pricing:
- Standard Construction Porta Potty: $100–$500 per month
- Handwashing Station: $150–$300 per month
- High-End or Trailer Units: +$2,500 per month
- Servicing Fees: $30–$80 per unit per service (weekly servicing is common)
Best Practices for Portable Toilets on Job Sites
Beyond meeting legal requirements, construction firms often follow industry best practices to improve efficiency and worker satisfaction. Key expectations include:
- Plan for the correct number of units: It’s always better to have more units on site, than less. While ANSI’s guidelines are the bare minimum, the minimum does not guarantee the workplace quality standards you aim for. Our rule of thumb for potties on a construction site is 1 porta potty per 10 full-time workers (400 labor hours) a week. This helps the units say stay fresh, and enjoyable to use, for longer. Having more units can also decrease the number of times your units need to be serviced weekly. Similarly, if you know you will have more crews onsite in a given week, you may have to order more toilets to comply with ANSI guidelines.
- Placement: Toilets should be conveniently located within a reasonable walking distance of work areas (no more than a 10-minute walk). Similarly, units should be easily accessible by truck, ensuring your portable toilet provider is able to service the units promptly without disrupting the flow of work on your job site.
- Maintenance: Regular cleaning and restocking are essential to maintaining a sanitary environment. Most companies schedule weekly servicing but may increase frequency for large or high-traffic sites. Encourage your workers to be vocal about the cleanliness of units, too – no one likes a dirty porta-potty! Facilities have to be clean per the OSHA guidelines. All portable toilet providers have route and operational strategies to account for additional cleanings.
- Handwashing Stations: Many construction sites provide handwashing stations with running water, soap, and paper towels to comply with hygiene standards. While not always necessary, we always recommend including a handwashing station per 4 portable toilets in your job site portable toilet rental. Construction sites are dirty, handwashing stations give your workers a chance to freshen up and decrease the spread of germs. A simple rule of thumb for sinks on your construction site is 1 sink per 600 labor hours in a given week.
What to expect when you work with Wasted*
Wasted* prides itself on providing a premium and customer-first service for our construction partners. Our construction customers come back to us time and time again because of our commitment to reliable servicing, quality-controlled cleanliness, real-time unit cleanliness monitoring, our dedicated customer success representatives and our commitment to eco-friendly and sustainably focused business practices.
- Proactive Monitoring: Real-time, in-unit feedback helps us track cleanliness and service needs, preventing overuse and ensuring consistent cleanliness.
- Free Emergency Cleaning: One free cleaning a month that’s outside your standard servicing schedule.
- Detailed Servicing: Every unit is carefully inspected after each service to ensure it meets our high standard of cleanliness.
- Eco-Friendly Products: All-natural solutions—bamboo toilet paper, enzyme-based pretreatment, and solar lighting—reduce site waste.
- Unmatched Customer Service: Our dedicated Customer Success Managers ensure seamless, hassle-free rentals, and work with you to ensure your site is properly cared for.
Want to talk in more detail about your construction project needs? Contact us today to talk to one of our sales representatives that are well well-versed in everything related to portable toilets and construction.
