No where else to go: Audit shows unsanitary toilets in construction sites

The following is an abridgement of an article originally published on the SafeWork SA website.

103 out 168 sites had significant issues with cleanliness and amenities

A recent inspection of portable toilets at residential construction sites in metropolitan Adelaide revealed significant issues with cleanliness and amenities, rendering many of them unsuitable for use by workers. SafeWork SA conducted audits on 168 building sites over six months, resulting in 103 improvement notices being issued to builders.

Key findings from the audit showed that 90 sites lacked clean, hygienic, or conveniently located toilets, with 13 sites failing to provide toilets altogether, violating employers' obligations to construction workers. Among the non-compliant sites:

• 93% lacked sanitary bins for women.
• 67% had insufficient paper towel supply.
• 64% provided little to no soap.
• 49% did not have a bin.
• 43% had inadequate toilet paper.
• 39% were not regularly cleaned.
• 10% were insecure and unsafe to access.

Some toilets were so dirty that workers had to improvise by using bricks or blocks to avoid direct contact with the seat. The inspections were part of a broader campaign by SafeWork SA to address safety issues on residential construction sites, in collaboration with unions.

SafeWork SA expresses disappointment

This year, SafeWork SA has issued 54 additional improvement notices related to toilets, with residential construction sites being the primary offenders, accounting for 88% of non-compliances.

Glenn Farrell, Executive Director of SafeWork SA, emphasized the importance of maintaining hygienic portable toilets to minimize health risks for workers and others. He expressed disappointment at the number of improvement notices issued due to poorly maintained toilets:

Over nine months, we’ve issued 157 improvement notices for unclean or poorly maintained toilets on construction sites, which is extremely disappointing.

If the builder has a blatant disregard for suitable toilet facilities supplied to workers, there’s a good chance that other standards and safety performance on site are compromised.

John Adley, Secretary of CEPU (Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union) South Australian Branch, highlighted the right of all workers to proper workplace amenities, stressing that basic hygiene facilities are essential, especially in male-dominated industries like construction:

We want to attract more women into male dominated industries like construction. The task is made harder when employers fail to provide basic amenities.

Employers in residential construction need to get their act together and provide the worksite amenities they are legally required to.

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Sources

Snap audit reveals unhygienic loos on residential construction sites by SafeWork SA, 16th May, 2024.

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