296-307-095 Field sanitation.
296-307-09503 What does this section cover?
296-307-09506 What definitions apply to this section?
296-307-09509 What orientation must employers provide for field sanitation?
296-307-09512 What potable water sources must an employer provide?
296-307-09515 What handwashing facilities must an employer provide?
296-307-09518 What toilet facilities must an employer provide?
(1) Are engaged in field activities for the production
of grains, livestock, or livestock feed; or
(2) Use vehicles, machinery, or animals as part
of their field activities and, when needed, can transport themselves
to and from toilet and handwashing facilities.
“Accessible” means a maximum of one-quarter mile or five minutes
travel time from the worksite.
“Hand-labor operations” means agricultural operations performed
by hand or with hand tools.
For example: The hand cultivation, weeding, planting
or harvesting of vegetables, nuts, fruit, seedlings or other crops, including
mushrooms, and hand packing into containers.
Exception: Hand-labor does not include logging operations,
the care or feeding of livestock, or hand-labor operations in permanent
structures (e.g., canning facilities or packing houses).
“Handwashing facility” means a facility that meets
the requirements of WAC
296-307-09515 and is approved by the local health authority.
“Toilet” means a fixed or portable facility designed for the purpose
of adequate collection and containment of both defecation and urination.
“Toilet” includes biological, chemical, flush, and combustion toilets,
or sanitary outhouses.
WAC 296-307-09509
What orientation must employers provide for field sanitation?
You must provide each employee with verbal orientation on field sanitation
facilities. The orientation must be understandable to each employee and
must include:
(1) The location of potable water supplies and the importance of drinking
water frequently, especially on hot days;
(2) Identification of all nonpotable water at the worksite and prohibition
of the use of nonpotable water for sanitation purposes with an explanation
of the hazards associated with using nonpotable water;
(3) The location of handwashing facilities and the importance of handwashing:
(a) before and after using the toilet; and
(b) Before eating and smoking; and
(4) The location of toilet facilities; an explanation that facilities
are for employee convenience and health considerations; the necessity
to keep them sanitary; and that using the fields, orchards, or forests
is not an option.
WAC 296-307-09512
What potable water sources must an employer provide?
You must provide potable water for employees engaged
in hand-labor operations in the field, without cost to the employee. Potable
water must meet the following requirements:
(1) Potable water is in locations that are accessible to all employees.
(2) Potable water containers are refilled daily or more often as necessary.
(3) Potable water dispensers are designed, constructed, and serviced
so that sanitary conditions are maintained. They are closeable and equipped
with a tap.
(4) Open containers such as barrels, pails, or tanks for drinking water
from which water must be dipped or poured, whether or not they are fitted
with a cover, are prohibited.
(5) Any container used to distribute drinking water is clearly marked
in English and with the appropriate international symbol describing its
contents.
(6) Any container used to distribute drinking water is only used for
that purpose.
(7) Potable water is suitably cool and provided in sufficient amounts,
taking into account the air temperature, humidity, and the nature of the
work performed, to meet employees' needs.
Note: Suitably cool water should be sixty degrees
Fahrenheit or less. During hot weather, employees may require up to three
gallons of water per day.
(8) The use of common drinking cups or dippers is prohibited. Water is
dispensed in single-use drinking cups, personal containers, or by water
fountains.
“Single-use drinking cups” means containers of any type or size,
disposable or not, and including personal containers if the choice to
use a personal container is made by the employee, not the employer.
(9) Employees must be prohibited from drinking from irrigation ditches,
creeks or rivers. Potable water must meet the quality standards for drinking
purposes of the state or local authority, or must meet quality standards
of the United States Environmental Protection Agency's National Interim-Primary
Drinking Water Regulations, published in 40 CFR Part 141 and 40 CFR 147.2400.
WAC 296-307-09515
What handwashing facilities must an employer provide?
You must provide handwashing facilities for employees engaged in hand-labor
operations in the field, without cost to the employee. Handwashing facilities
must meet the following requirements:
(1) One handwashing facility with a tap and an adequate supply of water,
soap, single-use hand towels, and either a basin or other suitable container
for washing is provided for each twenty employees or fraction of twenty.
Note: Nonpotable water must not be used for washing
any part of a person, except as permitted by the local health authority.
(2) Each facility has running water.
(3) Each facility has a dispenser containing handsoap or a similar cleansing
agent.
(4) Each facility has individual single-use hand towels.
(5) Facilities are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition according
to appropriate public health sanitation practices.
(6) Waste receptacles are provided. Disposal of wastes from the facilities
does not create a hazard nor cause an unsanitary condition.
(7) Employees are allowed reasonable time during the work period to use
the facilities.
(8) Handwashing facilities are near toilet facilities and within one-quarter
mile of each employee's worksite in the field.
Exception: Where it is not feasible to locate facilities
as required above, the facilities must be located at the point of closest
vehicular access.
You must provide toilet facilities for employees engaged in hand-labor
operations in the field, without cost to the employee. Toilet facilities
must meet the following requirements:
(1) One toilet facility is provided for each twenty employees or fraction
of twenty.
(2) You must ensure, at the beginning of each day, that the toilets are
inspected. If any toilet facility fails to meet the requirements of this
section, immediate corrective action is taken. Inspections are documented
and the record maintained at the worksite for at least seventy-two hours.
(3) Toilet facilities are adequately ventilated; appropriately screened,
and have self-closing doors that can be closed and latched from the inside.
Toilet facilities are constructed to ensure privacy.
(4) Facilities are maintained in a clean, sanitary, and functional condition
and according to appropriate public health sanitation practices.
(5) Toilets are supplied with toilet paper.
(6) Disposal of wastes from the facilities does not create a hazard or
cause an unsanitary condition.
(7) Employees are allowed reasonable time during the work period to use
the facilities.
(8) Facilities are near handwashing facilities and within one-quarter
mile of each employee's worksite in the field.
Exception: Where it is not feasible to locate facilities
as required above, the facilities must be located at the point of closest
vehicular access.
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