Construction businesses and businesses undertaking construction work activities such as trades and utilities, must provide adequate facilities for workers working on sites and others using their sites. Workers should have access to clean, hygienic and conveniently located toilets.

Toilets must be accessible for all workers including workers with a disability and/or gender differences. Preferably toilets should be located inside a building or as close as possible to the workplace. In multistorey buildings, toilets should be located on at least every second floor.

In most cases, businesses are expected to provide toilet facilities for workers, rather than relying on access to external public toilets.

Design of toilets

Toilets should be:

  • fitted with a hinged seat and lid
  • well-lit and well ventilated, either naturally or artificially
  • clearly signposted
  • fitted with a hinged door capable of locking from the inside on each cubicle
  • designed to allow emergency access
  • positioned to ensure privacy for users, and
  • separated from other rooms by an airlock, a sound-proof wall and a separate entrance that is clearly marked.

Where toilets facilities are to be locked, key/codes should be given to each worker, or the key should be secured in an agreed location following consultation with workers.

Toilets need to be equipped with:

  • an adequate supply of consumable items, such as toilet paper, paper towel and soap (preferably liquid soap) for each toilet and replenished regularly
  • hand washing facilities
  • rubbish bins
  • adequate and hygienic means for disposing of sanitary items for toilets used by female workers.

Number of toilets

Separate toilets need to be provided in workplaces where there are both male and female workers in the following ratios.

Workers Closet Pan(s)

  • Males - 1 per 20 males and 1 urinal per 25 males
  • Females - 1 per 15 females

However, in workplaces with both male and female workers where:

  • the total number of people who normally work at the workplace is 10 or less, and
  • there are two or less employees of one gender.

one unisex toilet may be provided. For example, a workplace with two male and eight female employees, or with one female and three male employees, could have a unisex toilet, because there are 10 or less employees in total, and two or less workers of one gender.

A unisex toilet is a toilet that can only be used by one worker at time and includes one closet pan, one washbasin, one rubbish bin and a means for disposing of sanitary items.

Portable toilets

Portable toilets include sewer-connected, chemical and trailer mounted.

Portable toilets should be located in a secure place with safe access. They should be:

  • placed on stable, flat ground to ensure effective operation and stability
  • accessible by a clear path suitable for all weather conditions
  • positioned in a well-lit area at all times
  • serviced regularly to keep them clean.

Portable toilet cleaning and servicing

Portable toilets should be checked daily to ensure they are clean as required.

If there are no contracted cleaning arrangement alternate arrangements to have the toilets cleaned and maintained should be made.

Portable toilet should be serviced regularly. On-site servicing is generally done by the hire company and should include:

  • checking condition of pumps and components
  • repairing any defects
  • pumping and rinsing empty sewage storage tanks
  • adding deodoriser and treatment chemicals to the sewage storage tank
  • refilling the holding tank with water
  • replenishing soap or other hand disinfectant
  • replacing toilet paper and paper towels
  • cleaning and disinfecting the internal compartment, including fittings such as pump and door handles, the floor, seat and bowl.

Tanks should be pumped out as needed to minimise odours and to ensure that waste in the tank will not exceed 50 per cent of the tank's useable capacity before the next scheduled service.

Workers must be supplied with the appropriate personal protective equipment for cleaning and servicing toilets. Vaccinations for hepatitis and tetanus should be made available to employees who service toilets.

Mobile, temporary, or remote workplaces

If work is undertaken away from base locations or at outdoor sites, for example by maintenance, trades or lines persons, workers must have access to other toilets, for example public toilets or toilets at clients' premises. A site that is part of a larger project (adjoining other sites) may not need a construction toilet if the project (as a whole) has access.

In such cases, clear directions should be provided to workers on where the toilets are located. This may include ensuring arrangements are made at customers workplaces or the provision of information regarding publicly located facilities.

Where it is not reasonably practicable to provide access to permanent toilets, for example short-term temporary workplaces and workplaces in remote areas, portable toilets should be provided.

Where it is not reasonably practicable to provide portable toilets, due to the short duration of the work, consider:

  • adequate ‘in paid time’ breaks
  • access and use of a light vehicle to get to and from the facilities.

Further Information

The approved Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities along with the Code of Practice: Construction work should be consulted for further guidance on how to identify what facilities should be provided, how and by whom in a construction workplace.