Field Sanitation for Ohio and Pennsylvania Farms
Farm porta potty rules are clear: farms with hand-labor field crews need 1 toilet and 1 handwashing facility for every 20 workers, placed within a quarter-mile walk, under OSHA 29 CFR 1928.110. Crews of 10 or fewer working 3 hours or less a day, including travel, are exempt.
What does OSHA 1928.110 require?
OSHA 1928.110 requires agricultural employers with 11 or more hand-labor field workers to provide 1 toilet and 1 handwashing facility per 20 workers, within a quarter-mile walk or, when that is not feasible, at the closest vehicle access point. Potable drinking water is also required.
Source: 29 CFR 1928.110. Facilities must be kept clean and sanitary. This is a summary, not legal advice.
How do farms keep units close to moving crews?
Farms keep units close to moving crews with towable porta potty trailers that a pickup can pull to the next field, paired with a hand wash station on the same trailer. Fixed units work for packing sheds and farm markets.
Orchards and vegetable farms in Columbiana, Trumbull, Ashtabula and Mercer counties often rent for the harvest season and call for pickup when the last field is done.
What about farm markets and pick-your-own?
Farm markets, corn mazes and pick-your-own patches open to the public need restrooms for visitors, including at least 1 wheelchair-accessible unit per cluster of portable toilets. Add hand wash stations near any food or petting area.
Fall weekends in September and October book up early around pumpkin and apple season.
Related: OSHA requirements · Hand wash stations · All articles