Water should be supplied in a hygienic manner, so that workers do not drink directly from a shared container. This may involve: a drinking fountain, where the water is delivered in an upward jet a supply of disposable or washable drinking containers. Water supplied for certain industrial processes or for fire protection may not be suitable for drinking. These water supply points should be marked with signs warning that the water is unfit for drinking. Mobile, temporary or remote workplaces Sometimes direct connection to a water supply is not possible. In these cases, alternatives – including access to public drinking water facilities, bottled water or containers should be provided – for workers. 3.3 Toilets Access to clean toilets must be provided for all workers while they are at work. Where reasonably practicable, toilet facilities should be provided for workers, rather than relying on access to external public toilets. Number of toilets For workplaces within buildings, the National Construction Code of Australia sets out the ratio of toilets to the number of workers, and the specifications for toilets. Generally, separate toilets should be provided in workplaces where there are both male and female workers. However, one unisex toilet may be provided in workplaces with both male and female workers where: the total number of people who normally work at the workplace is 10 or less there are two or less workers of one gender. For example, a workplace with two male and eight female workers or with one female and three male workers could have a unisex toilet because there are 10 or fewer workers in total and two or fewer workers of one gender. A unisex toilet should include one closet pan, one washbasin and means for disposing of sanitary items. For all other workplaces, separate toilets should be provided in the following ratios: Workers Closet Pan(s) Urinals Males 1 per 20 males 1 per 25 males Females 1 per 15 females N/A These ratios are the minimum standard that should be provided. However, in some workplaces, the scheduling of breaks will affect the number of toilets required. There should be workers’ enough toilets available for the number of workers who may need to use them at the same time. Design of toilets Toilets should be: fitted with a hinged seat and lid provided with adequate lighting and ventilation clearly signposted fitted with a hinged door capable of locking from the inside on each cubicle
Water should be supplied in a hygienic manner, so that workers do not drink directly from a shared container. This may involve: a drinking fountain, where the water is delivered in an upward jet a supply of disposable or washable drinking containers. Water supplied for certain industrial processes or for fire protection may not be suitable for drinking. These water supply points should be marked with signs warning that the water is unfit for drinking. Mobile, temporary or remote workplaces Sometimes direct connection to a water supply is not possible. In these cases, alternatives – including access to public drinking water facilities, bottled water or containers – should be provided for workers. 3.3 Toilets Access to clean toilets must be provided for all workers while they are at work. Where reasonably practicable, toilet facilities should be provided for workers, rather than relying on access to external public toilets. Number of toilets For workplaces within buildings, the National Construction Code of Australia sets out the ratio of toilets to the number of workers, and the specifications for toilets. Generally, separate toilets should be provided in workplaces where there are both male and female workers. However, one unisex toilet may be provided in workplaces with both male and female workers where: the total number of people who normally work at the workplace is 10 or less there are two or less workers of one gender. For example, a workplace with two male and eight female workers or with one female and three male workers could have a unisex toilet because there are 10 or fewer workers in total and two or fewer workers of one gender. A unisex toilet should include one closet pan, one washbasin and means for disposing of sanitary items. For all other workplaces, separate toilets should be provided in the following ratios: Workers Closet Pan(s) Urinals Males 1 per 20 males 1 per 25 males Females 1 per 15 females N/A These ratios are the minimum standard that should be provided. However, in some workplaces, the scheduling of workers’ breaks will affect the number of toilets required. There should be enough toilets available for the number of workers who may need to use them at the same time. Design of toilets Toilets should be: fitted with a hinged seat and lid provided with adequate lighting and ventilation clearly signposted fitted with a hinged door capable of locking from the inside on each cubicle