The simple practice of washing your hands is one of the best defenses against spreading disease. Portable handwashing stations are a great way to provide this convenience feature for places like weddings, outdoor events, construction sites, concerts, and more. The key is to ensure that you have enough hand-washing stations to accommodate all your guests without long wait times. Below, we’ll assess some key features that can help you determine how many handwashing stations you need for your next gathering.
Why Does the Number of Stations Matter?
Determining how many handwashing stations you need begins with understanding why it’s important to have the right amount. One of the biggest concerns about having too few handwashing stations is that people may skip long waits. This can lead to contamination issues and the unwanted spread of bacteria. This can create significant problems in various industries.
Food industries can experience an increase in foodborne bacteria due to inadequate handwashing practices. Healthcare facilities may experience an uptick in infections. Having the proper number of handwashing stations is necessary for OSHA, CDC, and local health code compliance to encourage worker safety and productivity.
The Minimum Stations Required by Industry
OSHA and other regulatory agencies set minimum standards for the number of handwashing stations you need to have at your facility or site. The specific number is dependent on the number of workers you have and your particular industry. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the most common industries out there and their minimum recommendations.
Construction and Industrial Sites
When it comes to construction and industrial sites, the recommendation is one handwashing station for every 20 employees. It’s best to place the handwashing station close to the site when employees are dealing with dust, chemicals, or other hazardous materials. It’s recommended to have handwashing stations near employee rest areas.
Food Service
The food industry requires at least one hand washing station in every major work area. That one station recommendation is for every five to 10 employees. If a particular area has 15 employees, you will need at least two handwashing stations in that location. Some major areas include near dishwashing stations, service stations, and food prep counters. It’s important to note that restrooms don’t qualify as handwashing stations.
Daycares and Schools
When it comes to daycare facilities or schools, the recommendation is one handwashing station per classroom. Each handwashing station can cover up to 15 students. This means, if you have a classroom of 20 students, you’ll need two handwashing stations in that location.
Healthcare Facilities
There’s no doubt that healthcare facilities are a place where infection prevention protocols are an absolute must. Standards require placing a sink within 10 feet of a patient care area for easy access and compliance. They recommend putting in one handwashing station per patient room.
Public Gatherings, Parks, and Outdoor Events
For temporary events and outdoor festivals, the number of handwashing stations necessary will depend on the number of portable restrooms your event needs. Most states follow the standard of one handwashing station for every four portable restrooms.
Retail Spaces and Office Buildings
It’s generally recommended to have one handwashing station for each restroom at a retail facility or office building. Additionally, a handwashing station is recommended for each break room and food preparation area.
Proper Placement is Key
Apart from having the appropriate number of handwashing stations, their placement plays a big role in how often they get used. It’s best to keep handwashing stations as close to the work site as possible. If you place them too far away, it will discourage employees or event goers from actually using them.
Installing proper signage at your handwashing stations will help to remind people to use them. Opt for placing signs at high-traffic areas, such as entry and exit ways, to catch the attention of employees. Additionally, ensure you refill the water and soap in each station daily. All units should be sanitized every week.
Top-Notch Portable Handwashing Station Rentals
LilyPad Septic offers top-notch portable handwashing station rentals for the Salina, KS community. We can also assist with all your portable restroom and septic service needs. Call LilyPad Septic today to schedule service for your handwashing stations.
