Restrooms and Sanitation Requirements - Overview

Restrooms and Sanitation Requirements - Overview

Overview

Highlights

Employers must maintain restrooms in a sanitary condition. Restrooms must provide hot and cold running water or lukewarm water, hand soap or similar cleansing agent and warm air blowers or individual hand towels (e.g., paper or cloth). Waterless hand cleaner and towels/rags are not adequate substitutes for soap and water.

Can an employer restrict restroom use?

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Can an employer restrict restroom use?

Answer:

OSHA's Sanitation standard requires that employers make toilet facilities available so that employees can use them when they need to. The employer may not impose unreasonable restrictions on employee use of the facilities. For more information, see the restrooms page.

Are employers required to provide drinking water?

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Are employers required to provide drinking water?

Answer:

OSHA Standards require an employer to provide potable water in the workplace and permit employees to drink it. Potable water includes tap water that is safe for drinking. Employers cannot require employees to pay for water that is provided. An employer does not have to provide bottled water if potable water is available. See OSHA's sanitation standard for more information.