Agricultural establishments with 11 or more hand laborers in the field on any given day must:
- Provide potable drinking water to workers in the field
- Provide toilets and handwashing facilities when workers perform field work for more than 3 hours in a day (including transportation time to and from the field)
- Provide reasonable opportunities throughout the day to use these facilities
- Maintain facilities in accordance with public health standards
- Provide all facilities at no cost to workers
What happens when field sanitation facilities are not provided?
- Workers in the field without clean and cool water to drink are at higher risk of dehydration, heat stress, and heat illness.
- When workers have too few bathroom breaks, they may be at risk for urinary tract infections and incontinence, as well as other bladder, bowel, and kidney problems.
- A farmworker who is unable to wash his or her hands risks extended exposure to harmful parasites, bacteria, viruses, and agricultural chemical residues. Additionally, unwashed hands may result in contamination of agricultural products.
- Failure to provide the required facilities may result in the issuance of citations, the assessment of penalties, and other actions as appropriate.
What do I need to provide to comply with the OSHA Field Sanitation Standard?
- At least one toilet facility and one handwashing facility must be provided for every 20 workers. For example, 21 workers require two toilet facilities and two handwashing facilities.
- Doors of toilet facilities must be self-closing, able to be locked from the inside, and provide privacy.
- The toilet facility must be reasonably close to the handwashing facility. Both must generally be within a ¼ mile walk of the worker’s place of work in the field.
- Toilet facilities must be operational and sanitary.
- Handwashing facilities must have soap, potable water, and single-use towels.
- Cool drinking water must be placed in locations readily accessible to all employees.
- Drinking containers must be covered and regularly cleaned.
- There must be enough drinking water for the workers.
- Water must be dispensed in single-use cups or fountains. The use of common drinking cups or dippers is prohibited.
Is there anything else I must do to comply with the field sanitation standard?
- Notify each worker of the location of the sanitation facilities and water
- Allow workers reasonable opportunities to use the facilities
- Inform workers to:
- Use the water and facilities
- Drink water frequently and especially on hot days
- Urinate as frequently as necessary
- Wash hands both before and after using the toilet
- Wash hands before eating and smoking
Other Related Facts
- 34% of the agricultural workforce in the United States is female. Dehydration and heat pose particular risks to women who are pregnant or nursing.
- When working in the heat, workers should drink ¾ - 1 quart (between three and four 8-ounce glasses) of water every hour.
- A worker can lose up to 10-12 liters of perspiration on a hot workday.
- Cool water is more quickly absorbed into the blood to form perspiration for evaporative cooling than other liquids. It also tastes better and thus encourages workers to drink.
- Proper hydration is essential to prevent heat-related illness.
- Studies have shown that handwashing with soap, along with other interventions, is associated with decreased pesticide exposure.