Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1426970
10 I PSAI Association Insight, November 10, 2021 The History of the Portable Toilet Industry in the UK and Ireland (continued from page 9) 1996: Health & Safety Executive's Directive Another milestone in the development of the UK portable toilet market was the introduction in 1996 of the Health & Safety Executive's Directive regarding the placement of adequate welfare (toilet) facilities on construction sites. This was a turning point for the industry, as prior to this time there was no obligation for the contractor to supply such welfare facilities for the construction workers. With this directive, the industry really took off. The directive also brought about changes to the internal configuration of the toilet, the need to place a wash hand basin as well as a hot water supply in a 4-foot-square box! Wash hand basins were available on the market, but then the directive changed to require that the basin had to be large enough to immerse one's forearm, a further challenge for the industry to contend with. Joining Shorelink Manufacturing–1999 After leaving Site A Loo/Brandon Hire and setting up PolyPortables Limited, I was subsequently asked to join Shorelink International, Ltd., as their Sales Director in mid-1999, just as the need for the larger forearm wash hand basin was requested. As Shorelink was a UK-based manufacturing company, this was the ideal opportunity to both design and construct a new tool for the wash hand basin, as well as a hot water unit and simultaneously redesign their existing recirculating toilet tank, incorporating the "shute" design in place of a counter-balanced flap within the tank. Also, their plastic skid underwent structural change. Once all this had been undertaken, it was decided to design and develop a new toilet cabin to compete with the new styles coming into the UK from PolyJohn and their Fleet Series toilet, Satellite and the Maxim 2000, as well as the Thal Mondo. Pumper Show – Nashville 2002 Shorelink teamed up with their supplier of vacuum manufactured parts to produce the Mondo, which was presented at the Pumper Show in Nashville in February 2002. It was the first UK portable toilet manufacturing company to exhibit in the US, quite an achievement for a small family-owned UK-based business. Conclusion Over the years, the portable toilet industry has to some extent stagnated. After the revolution in 1996 when the Health & Safety Executive introduced the requirement for new and improved welfare standards and the industry reacted accordingly, no real changes have affected the overall design of the toilet cabin. It is still a 4-foot-square box, shaped differently by the respective manufacturers, with different colour schemes. But open the door and the interiors are all similar—toilet tank, wash hand basin, and hot water unit! This has led to further developments within the market. Apart from the luxury self-contained toilet for the up-market weekend parties, weddings, and high- profile events, the introduction of the Welfare Unit has taken a strong hold on the construction market. This style of unit combines a kitchen/mess room area as well as a toilet facility along with a self-contained generator for its electrical support. The toilet facilities are exactly as one would find in a plastic portable toilet, no change! Now with the need to go "green," further developments are coming onto the market—solar- powered welfare units and hydrogen- powered units. The portable toilet market has certainly come a long way over the course of the past 34 years from whence it was first introduced to the UK. Final Thoughts from Jeff I am so appreciative that Martin Murdoch was able to share, on a personal level, the fascinating history of our industry in the United Kingdom. The interrelationship between the UK and the US market is as interesting as it is important. I had the pleasure of meeting Martin at the Spring 2015 international board meeting in Germany. He is a very kind, knowledgeable, helpful, and professional leader as well as an ardent supporter of our industry, the PSE, and the PSAI. Thank you once again, Martin! Requests: As this series of articles continues in our 50th Anniversary Year as well as the update of "PSAI Through the Decades" is composed, I would appreciate any articles, stories, remembrances, or any other information that you could share to assist in the preservations and the publication of the amazing history of our industry and our PSAI would be greatly appreciated. Email Jeff or call him at 770-206-0794. THANK YOU!