Portable Sanitation Association International

Page 18 ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION JANUARY 8, 2020 Some operators advocate putting a full-sized wood changing table purchased from a retailer inside an ADA-compliant unit. This approach may seem like a simple answer, but it has a considerable downside. These tables are generally not created for the hard use of a rental situation; they are meant for someone's home nursery. If something breaks or a child gets hurt, you will likely be seen as more at fault because you used something that wasn't meant for this level of activ- ity. That's what the manufacturer's lawyers will argue, you can be sure of that. Another downside is that wood absorbs wetness and odor. You cannot sanitize it like you can the plastic tables meant for this sort of use. If you put a baby changing table inside an ADA-compliant unit, it is no longer ADA-compliant. Be sure to remove the universal symbol of accessibility. Label the unit "family friendly" or use a decal showing there is a changing station inside, then make sure you have enough ADA-compliant units on site as well. That will tell all attendees what to expect and avoid unpleasant encounters with ADA advocates. Baby changing stations as revenue sources. Perhaps there was a time when people with babies just stayed home. If so, those days are long gone, and that's why offering family-friendly units with baby changing stations can be a revenue source. As one operator said, "For big public events [changing tables] are always asked for and needed." Another said, "[These units are] add ons. Extra charge." To fully outfit your family friendly unit, consider adding hand sani- tizer and trash cans for the dirty diapers. Any operator knows some diapers will land in the tank no matter what you do, but offering the trash can and placing signage warning people not to throw the dirt- ies in the tank improves your chances of minimizing headaches when pumping. Some operators have been success- ful in getting their customers to take responsibility for disposing of the dirty diapers by putting something along the lines of "We don't do trash removal" in the rental contract. Because you cannot simply put a baby changing table in an ADA-compliant unit and claim to provide both ADA and family facilities, this is an opportunity to sell both separately. ADA units are required at any event where public accommodation is necessary. Even if you are not in Illinois or one of the municipalities requiring changing stations, take the opportunity to sell these units if kids or families are expected at the event. Your upcharge can be whatever the market will bear, though usually it would start around the same price as your ADA-to-standard-unit differential. On that basis it won't take long for you to recover the costs of adding the baby changing facilities and making sure your insurance is adequate to cover them. A shameless plug. The PSAI's training course "Servicing and Maintaining Portable Sanitation Equipment" touches on how to properly clean and maintain family friendly units. It's just one more reason why it is a good idea to have your team members take the course and get certified. We offer it virtually three times a year (the next time is Thursday, January 9) and face to face at conferences including WWETT, the PSAI Annual Convention and Trade Show, and the Nuts & Bolts Educational Conference. Visit our training and certification web pages for more infor- mation, then check our calendar for upcoming events. v New Illinois Law Prompts Debate about Baby Changing Stations…continued from page 3

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