Substituting portable toilets for water closets may be a de minimis violation.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

May 18, 1999

 

 

Interpretation of 29 CFR 1910.141(c)(1)(i): Toilet Facilities

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 6, 1998

 

 

The location of adequate toilet facilities.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 11, 1976

Mr. A. Quayle
Aeroil Products Company, Inc.
69 Wesley Street South
Hackensack, New Jersey 07606

Dear Mr. Quayle:

This is in response to your letter of February 20, 1976, regarding the location of adequate toilet facilities. In addition, it confirms a telephone conversation with a member of my staff.

Reasonable access to toilet facilities; citation analysis for failure to allow access to toilet facilities.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 23, 2003

Professor Marc Linder
College of Law
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242

Dear Mr. Linder:

Sanitation-Toilet Facility

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 10, 2014

Mr. Ryan Wiens
Temple, Texas 76502

Dear Mr. Wiens:

I am writing in response to your February 19, 2014 email to President Barack H. Obama, regarding the use of toilet facilities within the workplace. The President asked the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to respond to your inquiry.

We regret to hear about your mother-in-law's working conditions. Please note that OSHA's sanitation standard for general industry, 29 CFR 1910.141(c)(1)(i), requires employers to provide their employees with toilet facilities:

Access to toilet facilities in a call center.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

February 27, 2006

Elizabeth Khoury
201 Hawk Ridge Dr., #2315
Iowa City, IA 52246-4260

Dear Ms. Khoury:

This is in response to the February 2, 2006 e-mail you sent to me and the February 10, 2006 e-mail you sent to Helen Rogers of my staff. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation only of the situation discussed and may not be applicable to any question or situation not delineated within your letter. You had specific questions concerning restroom usage at call centers in Texas where you were once employed.