ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT
Portable Sanitation Association International News
BIWEEKLY EDITION JUNE 10, 2020
Page 19
Implications in New CDC Guidance for Construction Workers…continued from page 8
Guidance Implications for Portable Sanitation Companies
If proper hand wash stations cannot
be obtained, employers are advised
to "Provide a large (5+ gallon) bucket
with a lid and tap that can be used to
provide water for hand washing. If this
method is used, the water tap should be
regularly cleaned and disinfected, and
the contaminated wastewater must be
collected and treated in accordance with
local laws and environmental regulations.
Provide fresh clean water daily."
The CDC provides this guidance because so many job sites are
having trouble getting enough hand wash facilities. How can you
help? If you're short of proper hand wash stations, try to provide an
option at least as good as the "large bucket" option CDC allows.
You don't want customers to get used to making ad hoc hand wash
stations in a stop-gap manner. Finding a way for your company to
help in the interim will solve this problem for your customer. It will
also add value and demonstrate your professional commitment.
And, by providing short-term alternative hand washing stations,
you can preserve business for when new hand wash stations arrive!
Restrict access to reduce the number of
workers in enclosed and confined areas at
one time, including toilets.
If the job site is crowded or set up in a manner where everyone
takes their break at the same time, make sure they have enough
restroom units to keep the lines down and maintain social
distances.
Portable sanitation companies can use this information to educate the
decision-makers for their construction customers. Even though the
new CDC guidance does not have the force of law in the same way
a regulation or statute does, it should be heeded at all construction
sites going forward—as should recommendations in the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Guidance on Preparing
Workplaces for COVID-19.
Help your customers understand that following CDC and OSHA
guidance will improve workers' safety and reduce the transmission
of COVID-19. It will also protect your customers, the construction
employers, from the consequences of failing to implement these
important changes. Negative outcomes could include problems with unions on their job site, increased worker's
comp claims, as well as civil actions from workers and any family members who get sick.
As a portable sanitation professional, step up and help your customers learn what is required. It will help your
business in more ways than one. v
