Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction workers in British Columbia will soon bid farewell to unsanitary portable toilets and welcome the convenience of flush toilets, thanks to a significant update in workplace regulations. Starting Oct. 1, 2024, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation will mandate that construction sites with 25 or more workers provide flush toilets, hand-washing facilities, and clean washrooms.
WorkSafeBC, the agency responsible for workplace safety, will work closely with construction companies over the next few months to ensure compliance with the new regulations. This transition period will give employers time to acquire the necessary facilities and integrate them into their sites.
“We all know how unpleasant port-a-potties can be, but this is actually a health-and-safety issue for construction workers,” said Harry Bains, minister of labour. “We have heard clearly from the building sector that it is an important issue for workers, and it contributes to the sector’s ability to attract and retain workers, including women.”
Under the new regulations, construction sites will be required to install toilets connected to a sewer system or holding tank, using clean water or a mixture of water and chemicals to flush. Hand-washing facilities must also be provided, with soap and water or alternative hand-cleaning methods. Employers will need to ensure these facilities are well-maintained, clean, ventilated, and provide privacy.
It’s a “major win” for construction workers, says BC Building Trades executive director Brynn Bourke.
“Sanitation practices in construction have long fallen short of societal expectations and norms for workplace hygiene,” Bourke said. “More appropriate facilities are being used in other industries such as film, tourism and entertainment. It’s time the construction industry addresses one of the most egregious indignities that construction workers have had to face in their daily lives.”
The new WorkSafeBC regulation was approved after a three-year campaign from the BC Building Trades called ‘Get Flushed’. Thousands of letters were sent to Premier David Eby and Labour Minister Harry Bains, imploring them to improve sanitary conditions on construction sites.
“We all know how unpleasant port-a-potties can be, but this is actually a health and safety issue for construction workers,” said Minister of Labour Harry Bains. “We have heard clearly from the building sector that it is an important issue for workers, and it contributes to the sector’s ability to attract and retain workers, including women.”
In 2015, Quebec passed an amendment to the Construction Code addressing the requirement for flush toilets for construction sites. The province also requires hand washing stations.
In Australia, WorkSafe Victoria has requirements and guidance for the use of flush toilets on construction sites. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive has made it clear that plumbed or portable facilities with built-in water supply are the default requirement for toilets on construction sites.
WorkSafeBC conducted public hearings in January and July 2024, consulting with employers, construction-sector associations, unions, and workers to shape the new requirements. The updated regulations align with feedback from these consultations, and WorkSafeBC will soon issue guidelines to assist in their implementation.
“This regulation addresses one of the most egregious and long-standing indignities that construction workers have had to face in their daily lives,” Bourke said. “The requirement for flush toilets on large construction sites means workers building B.C.’s next generation of major infrastructure will have much-improved washroom facilities, along with running water for hand-washing.”
While the new regulations are a major step forward, WorkSafeBC has stated that there will be some flexibility if flush toilets are not practicable. Employers will need to provide a rationale and evidence if they are unable to meet the new requirements.
Industry leaders have expressed strong support for the changes. Don Wightman, board member of the BC Construction Association and president of PML Professional Mechanical Ltd., said, “This is a positive change for our industry. We fully support this initiative so that our workforce has access to safe and clean washrooms on our project sites. This is an important step in providing a positive and healthy workplace for all of our workers.”
