A Complete Guide to Maintaining Sanitation For Portable Toilets and Site Accommodations

At a Glance

Construction site welfare facilities are essential for regulatory compliance, hygiene and worker safety. Properly maintained site accommodations and toilet blocks reduce illness, absenteeism, and accidents while improving morale and productivity. Complying with HSE and CDM regulations, maintaining an adequate toilet ratio, and following a structured cleaning schedule are critical to ensure hygiene standards. 

Clean and Hygienic On-Site Welfare Facilities Lead to a Productive Site

Walk into a construction site and in the midst of the dust, dirt, aggregates and machinery, you’ll find these boxes – the lifeline of a construction site. These portable toilet boxes and site accommodations are not just an HSE prerequisite, but also a safe, comfortable, and sanitary place for workers to rest, have their meals, and access washroom facilities.

Construction site welfare facilities are fundamental to managing risks, improving hygiene levels despite the tough working conditions and boosting worker morale. This directly impacts job satisfaction, and by prioritising worker well-being, reduces mistakes and chances of accidents (a rested worker is more alert), leading to higher-quality work and improved project timeline.

However, to ensure construction site health and safety, project managers must pay heed to proper portable toilet maintenance. With constant usage, these facilities can get dirty, leading to the spread of germs, infections and illnesses. Are you in the market for sanitary accommodation and toilet boxes or anti-vandal site offices for your next construction project? Connect with our team at Cabin Solutions, and we can help you find the right solution for your business.

Why Sanitation Matters on Construction Sites?

Construction site health and safety must adhere to the regulations as prescribed under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to non-compliance, enforcement notices, fines, penalties and even site closures. 

Poor construction site sanitation can increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness, skin infections, and cross-contamination among workers. This leads to mass absenteeism, long-term health issues for workers and project delays. 

The benefits of proper portable toilet maintenance cannot be underestimated. When workers find on-site clean facilities, they don’t need to leave the premises to look for alternatives. It also helps to improve focus, performance, retention and job satisfaction.

HSE guidance and the BS6465-1-2006 standard outline best-practice recommendations for sanitary provision on construction sites. This includes recommending toilet ratios, commonly cited as one toilet for up to seven workers, depending on usage levels and waste servicing frequency. However, you must factor in the frequency of waste disposal. While it is prescribed to keep separate units for men and women, if you have a lockable facility, it can be used communally. 

Depending on the nature of the work being carried out, welfare facilities may need to include hot and cold running water, soap, towels and showers.

Cleaning Schedule to Be Followed

An important part of your portable toilet maintenance is to follow a regular cleaning and waste disposal schedule. To ensure proper construction site health and safety, portable toilet blocks must be cleaned regularly, especially when there are more workers than on-site toilets. 

As a general rule of thumb, facilities serving around 10 workers are typically cleaned at least twice weekly, with higher usage requiring more frequent servicing. A daily cleaning schedule should also be followed to replenish toilet paper, soaps, and disinfectant the touchpoints and floors.

A good rule of thumb regarding construction site welfare facilities (toilets and site accommodations) is to deep clean them every week, including vacuuming the surfaces and disposing of the waste tank. 

You can work with a professional cleaning crew and use industrial-grade commercial cleaning solutions to ensure a hygienic environment.

Cleaning Best Practices

Here are some best practices to follow to ensure construction site sanitation:

1. The project manager should conduct regular inspections to identify any maintenance issues. You must check for leaks, damage or ventilation issues.
2. Educate workers to use the facilities responsibly, including using water sustainably, not discarding objects on the floor, or flushing foreign objects.
3. Follow proper waste disposal techniques, from segregating waste (organic and non-organic) to handling waste with adequate precautions. Work with a professional cleaning crew to ensure proper waste management.
4. Invest in high-quality cleaning supplies and ensure you have a stock of essentials.
5. Regularly clean the common touchpoints, from sinks/washbasins, showers, to flushes. This prevents bacterial growth, mould or contamination.
6. Choose eco-friendly cleaning supplies to reduce your carbon footprint. Maintain proper ventilation to prevent odour buildup. 

Contact Cabin Solution for Procuring Portable Toilets and Site Accommodations Across the UK

Site accommodation and portable toilet maintenance are important to make sure your workers feel comfortable, especially if your site is located in remote areas. Construction site sanitation allows for compliance with government regulations and prioritises worker safety. 

As a project manager, you must ensure there is an adequate number of toilet blocks and site accommodation. This will help avoid overcrowding, sanitary issues and infections. 

At Cabin Solutions, we can help you buy portable toilet boxes, site accommodation, modular units and anti-vandal cabins anywhere across the UK. We partner with a reliable network of suppliers to ensure you get quick access to high-quality products at competitive prices. Contact us today.