Hand washing station requirements for job sites
OSHA's construction sanitation rule does not set a number of hand wash stations, but it does require washing facilities in some work and lavatories in all places of employment. Here is what the text says, what a station has to provide and how to plan it next to toilets and food areas.
- WaterRunning, with soap
- TowelsSingle use or blowers
- PlaceNear the work and toilets
What OSHA says
Washing facilities and lavatories
Paragraph (f) of the construction sanitation standard covers washing facilities.1
| Topic | What the standard says |
|---|---|
| Washing facilities for hazardous work | The employer provides adequate washing facilities for employees applying paints, coatings, herbicides or insecticides, and in operations where contaminants may be harmful, in near proximity to the worksite |
| Sanitary condition | Washing facilities must be maintained in a sanitary condition |
| Lavatories | Lavatories must be made available in all places of employment, except for mobile crews or normally unattended locations whose employees have transportation readily available to nearby washing facilities |
| Running water | Hot and cold running water, or tepid running water |
| Soap and drying | Hand soap or similar cleansing agents, and individual hand towels, air blowers or continuous cloth toweling |
| Showers | Only when another standard requires them, one shower per 10 employees of each sex who must shower during the same shift |
The standard states no ratio for lavatories or hand wash stations. Toilet counts are separate and are in Table D-1 of the same section. See the OSHA toilet guide.
Need hand wash stations on site?
Tell us the crew size, the work and the layout. We source stations with water and soap and keep service on one agreement.
Planning
What a station needs and where it goes
Rules aside, crews wash when it is easy.
- 01
Running water, soap and towels
Check the three items the standard lists. A bucket and a bottle do not meet them.
- 02
Next to toilets and food
Put a station by every bank of toilets and wherever crews eat.
- 03
Match the work
Painting, coatings and chemical work need washing near the worksite. Say what the crew handles when you order.
- 04
Plan the service
Water and soap run out. Tell us the crew size and we will schedule refills. Farm work has its own rule, see field sanitation.
Common questions
Hand washing questions
Does OSHA require hand wash stations on construction sites?
It requires lavatories in all places of employment, with some exceptions for mobile crews, and washing facilities for painting, coatings, herbicide and insecticide work and where contaminants may be harmful.
How many hand wash stations do I need?
OSHA states no ratio for construction. Plan one at each bank of toilets and at food areas, and add more for large crews or hazardous work.
What must a hand wash station provide?
Hot and cold or tepid running water, soap or a similar cleansing agent, and individual towels, air blowers or continuous cloth toweling.
Are showers required?
Only where another standard requires them. Then one shower per 10 employees of each sex who must shower in the same shift.
Is hand sanitizer enough?
The standard calls for running water and soap. Sanitizer does not replace them.
Can you supply hand wash stations?
Yes. See our hand wash station rental page or call sales at (888) 588-2607.
Hand wash stations, toilets and service on one agreement
Local providers do the work; we hold the contract, own the problems, and send one bill. If a delivery gets missed, we contact the provider the same business day.
Read next
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.51, Sanitation, paragraph (f) and Table D-1. Checked November 3, 2026. ecfr.gov