514 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 30-37

Sections

35-8. General Requirements.

Housekeeping

Regularly clean workplaces to maintain safe and sanitary conditions, following a written Housekeeping Plan for areas with toxic dusts, fumes, or mists.
Maintain dry floors in workrooms, using drainage, false floors, or appropriate footwear as needed.
Ensure floors, working places, and passageways are free from hazards and regularly clean and maintain washing and toilet facilities.

Drinking Water

Provide potable water from safe sources, testing onsite wells according to regulations, and use temporary systems or bottled water when necessary.
Ensure drinking water is cool (50°F to 60°F) during hot weather and distribute it through sanitary dispensers marked "DRINKING WATER."
Adhere to sanitary standards for drinking water, including wellhead protection, and avoid using reclaimed water in potable systems.

Non-Potable Water

Mark non-potable water outlets clearly to prevent unsafe use.
Avoid cross-connections between potable and non-potable water systems.
Use non-potable water for specific cleaning purposes, ensuring it does not create unsanitary conditions.

Toilet Facilities

Provide adequate, gender-separated toilet facilities with privacy, proper supplies, and sanitation measures.
Ensure facilities are well-lit, ventilated, and maintained at comfortable temperatures.
For construction sites, provide appropriate toilets, maintain sanitation, and ensure facilities are weather and damage-resistant.

Hand Washing Facilities

Supply hand washing facilities with potable water, soap, and drying methods.
Use hand sanitizer as an alternative where running water isn't feasible, ensuring it contains at least 60% ethyl alcohol.

Washing Facilities

Provide facilities for removing harmful substances, adhering to standards requiring showers and clean towels.

Changing Rooms and Laundry

Offer changing rooms with separate storage for street and protective clothing.
Establish procedures for laundering contaminated work clothing, informing commercial laundries of potential contaminants.

Food Service

Maintain compliance with health and food safety standards, ensuring food is wholesome and protected from contamination.
Prohibit consuming or storing food in areas exposed to toxins.
Ensure food handlers are qualified and trained, and inspect food service facilities regularly.

Waste Disposal

Provide adequate, sanitary waste receptacles, emptied daily and maintained in a clean condition.
Dispose of all waste to prevent health hazards in a timely manner.

Vermin Control

Design and maintain workplaces to prevent vermin entry or harborage.
Implement an Extermination Plan upon detection of vermin.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

35-5. How cool should drinking water be according to drinking water requirements?

Less than 50°F

50°F to 60°F

Less than 60°F

60°F to 70°F

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 35-8 (a.–c.).

35-8. General Requirements. (a.–c.).

a.  Housekeeping.  Maintain places of employment as clean as possible, taking into consideration the nature of the work.  Conduct regular cleaning to maintain safe and sanitary conditions in the workplace.  (35-8.a)

(1)  In workplaces where toxic dusts, fumes, or mists are generated, clean all surfaces in the work area and adjacent common use according to a written Housekeeping Plan based on the frequency and quantity of toxic material generation. (See para 35-7)

(2)  Keep the floors of workrooms as dry as possible.  Maintain drainage where wet processes are used via false floors, platforms, or mats, or provide dry standing places when possible. Utilize appropriate footwear.

(3)  To facilitate cleaning, keep all floors, working places, and passageways free from protruding nails, splinters, loose boards, clutter and unnecessary holes and openings.

(4)  Regularly clean and maintain in good order all washing and toilet facilities and rooms.

(5)  Ice machines must be cleaned at a frequency specified by the manufacturer according to FDA Food Code 2009 chapter 4, part 602.11 section (E) items (4a and b) and NSF/ANSI 12.

b.  Drinking Water.  Provide an adequate supply of potable water in all places of employment for both drinking and personal hygiene.  (35-8.b)

(1)  Whenever possible, provide drinking water from a local municipal water supply that meets federal, state, and local drinking water standards.

(2)  When drinking water is obtained from an onsite well, test the water and the supply system according to drinking water regulations (that is, 40 CFR 141-143) and any state or local drinking water regulations.

(3)  If potable water is not available from a local municipal water supply or onsite well, provide a temporary potable water system from a licensed drinking water source. Purchase of specialized drinking water (for example, bottled water) with use of appropriated funds (USACE only) must be authorized.

(4)  Connect construction trailers and other temporary or semi-permanent facilities to the local municipal water supply unless the remoteness of the location makes this prohibitive. See chapter 4 for Temporary Facilities and chapter 11 for NEC standards related to bonding requirements.  When unable to connect to the municipal supply,
    utilize temporary potable water systems and the services provided by a licensed potable water contractor.

(5)  Outside the Continental Unites States, provide drinking water at military fixed facilities in compliance with country-specific Final Governing Standards.  Additionally, conduct sanitary control and surveillance of water supplies and chlorination and fluoridation according to applicable DoD Component guidelines, or if more stringent, the host nation requirements.

(6)  Provide reasonably cool, 50°F to 60°F (10°C to 15.6°C), drinking water during hot weather.

(7)  Use only approved potable water systems for the distribution of drinking water. Do not use “reclaimed water” (treated wastewater) in potable systems.

(8)  Design, construct, operate and maintain portable drinking water dispensers to ensure sanitary conditions.  Portable drinking water dispensers must be capable of being closed and must have a tap.  Mark containers used to distribute drinking water with “DRINKING WATER” and do not use for any other purpose.  Dispense drinking water by means that prevent contamination between the consumer and the source.

(9)  All fountain dispensers must have a guarded orifice.

(10)  Portable water coolers, dispensers, or containers will be supplied with single- use disposable cups in a sanitary container attached to or nearby the dispenser body and a waste receptacle for used cups adjacent to the dispenser.  Single-use disposable cups or individual refillable containers must be used when drinking from water coolers
    or containers. Do not use a common cup or other common utensils (shared by more than one person).

(11) Do not use potable drinking water dispensers to store or cool drinks or food or other items; they may only contain drinking water.

(12) Do not use open containers (for example, barrels, pails, or tanks), or any container (with or without a fitted cover) from which the water is dipped or poured for drinking water.  A lid must remain on the container except when being sanitized, washed, or filled.

(13) All potable wells intended for drinking water or human contact must include appropriate wellhead protection to ensure sanitary quality.  Wellhead protection includes methods or accessories to prevent fecal matter contamination, insect infestation, and deliberate human actions that might jeopardize the quantity and quality of the water supply.

c.  Non-Potable Water.  (35-8.c)

(1)  Conspicuously mark outlets dispensing non-potable water "CAUTION WATER UNSAFE FOR DRINKING, WASHING, OR COOKING.”  Outlets dispensing non potable water into dumping stations at USACE managed campgrounds may, in lieu of this requirement, be posted according to EP 310-1-6A and EP 310-1-6B.

(2)  There must not be any cross-connection, open or potential, between a system furnishing potable water and a system furnishing non-potable water.

(3)  Non-potable water may be used for cleaning work areas, except food processing and preparation areas and personal service rooms, provided this non- potable water does not contain concentrations of chemicals, fecal coliform, or other substances which could create unsanitary conditions or be harmful to employees.

d.  Toilet Facilities.  Provide toilet facilities in all places of employment according to the following requirements.  For construction sites, see paragraph 35-8.d(2).  (35-8.d)

(1)  General.  The requirements below do not apply to mobile crews or to normally unattended work locations if employees working at these locations have transportation readily available to nearby facilities which meet the other requirements of paragraph
    35-8.d.

(a)  Provide separate toilet rooms and facilities for each sex (see table 35-1). Separate toilet rooms for each sex need not be provided if toilet rooms can only be occupied by one person at a time, can be locked from the inside, and contain at least one toilet seat. Where such single-occupancy toilet rooms have more than one toilet facility, only one toilet facility in each toilet room may be counted.

(b)  Provide an adequate supply of toilet paper and a toilet paper holder (roller) for each seat.

(c)  When more than one toilet is present in a toilet room, provide each toilet with an individual compartment equipped with a door and separated from other toilets by walls or partitions sufficiently high to ensure privacy.

(d)  Provide adequate interior lighting (see chapter 7).

(e)  Equip each toilet with a toilet seat and toilet seat cover.

(f)  Provide adequate ventilation.  Screen all windows and vents and vent seat boxes to the outside minimum vent size 4 inches (10.2 cm) with vent intake located
        1 inch (2.5 cm) below the seat.

(g)  Extreme Temperatures.  Maintain adequate temperatures within toilet rooms to prevent damage to facilities and components and minimize thermal stressors to personnel (see chapter 6).

(2)  Construction Sites.  Provide toilet facilities on construction sites.  The requirements of paragraph 35-8.d do not apply to mobile crews or to normally unattended work locations if employees working at these locations have transportation immediately available to nearby toilet facilities that meet the other requirements of this paragraph 35-8.d.

(a)  Where sanitary sewers are not available, provide jobsites with chemical toilets, re-circulating toilets, or combustion toilets, unless prohibited by state or local codes.

(b)  Equip each toilet with a toilet seat and toilet seat cover.

(c)  Each toilet facility, except those specifically designed and designated for females, must be equipped with a metal, plastic, or porcelain urinal trough (see table 35-2).

(d)  Provide an adequate supply of toilet paper and a toilet paper holder (roller) for each seat.

(e)  Provide separate toilet rooms and facilities for each sex (see table 35-2). Separate toilet rooms for each sex need not be provided if toilet rooms can only be occupied by one person at a time, can be locked from the inside, and contain at least one toilet seat.

(f)  Construct toilet facilities so that the occupants are protected against weather and falling objects, all cracks are sealed, and the door is tight-fitting, self-closing, and capable of being latched from the inside.

(g)  Provide adequate ventilation.  Screen all windows and vents and vent seat boxes to the outside (minimum vent size 4 inches (10.1 cm)) with vent intake located 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the seat.

(h)  Provide adequate interior lighting (see chapter 7).

(i)  Establish provisions for routinely servicing and cleaning all toilets and disposing of the sewage before placing toilet facilities into operation.  Ensure sewage disposal and the placement location selected are according to applicable federal, state, and local health requirements.

(3)  Provide employees working in temporary field conditions, on mobile crews, or in normally unattended work locations with at least one toilet facility, unless transportation to nearby toilet facilities is readily available.

e.  Hand Washing Facilities.  Provide hand washing facilities at all toilet facilities and as needed to maintain healthful and sanitary conditions.  (35-8.e)

(1)  Provide all hand washing facilities with water from an approved potable water supply. Water must be either hot and cold running water or tepid running water.

(2)  Provide hand soap or similar cleansing agents.

(3)  Provide individual disposable paper towels or warm air blowers designed for hand-drying, convenient to the washing facilities.

(4)  Where it is not practical to provide running water, hand sanitizer and individual disposable paper towels may be used.  Hand sanitizers must contain at least 60% ethyl alcohol as its active ingredient and workers must be instructed on proper use.

f.  Washing Facilities. (35-8.f)

(1)  Provide adequate washing facilities for persons engaged in application of paints, coatings, herbicides, insecticides, or other operations where contaminants may be harmful at or near the work site so that employees are able to remove such substances.

(2)  Whenever showers are required by a particular standard, adhere to the following:

(a)  Provide one shower for every ten employees (or fraction thereof) of each sex, who are required to shower during the same shift.

(b)  Provide body soap or other appropriate cleansing agents.

(d)  Provide employees who use showers individual clean towels.

g.  Changing Rooms.  Whenever employees are required by a particular standard to wear protective clothing, provide changing rooms with separate storage facilities for both street clothes and protective clothing.  (35-8.g)

h.  Laundry of Work Clothing.  If non-disposable work clothing provided by the employer becomes contaminated, establish provisions to ensure clothing is laundered and decontaminated by the employee prior to reuse and prior to leaving the work site.  If contaminated work clothing is taken to a commercial laundry, advise the laundry representative of the potential contaminants on the clothing.  (35-8.h)

i.  Food Service. (35-8.i)

(1)  All USACE-operated food service facilities, including galleys aboard vessels, must maintain compliance with TB MED 530 and USPHS Food Code.  All other facilities operated under USACE contracts, including galleys aboard vessels, must maintain compliance with the USPHS Food Code.

(2)  Provide food that is wholesome, free from spoilage, that is processed, prepared, handled, and stored in such a manner so that it is protected against contamination.

(3)  Do not consume, store food, or beverages in a toilet room or in any area exposed to a toxic material.

(4)  Food handlers must meet the qualifications and training requirements as listed in paragraph 35-3.

(5)  All food service facilities must be inspected according to paragraph 35-5.

j.  Waste Disposal.  (35-8.j)

(1)  Provide an adequate number of waste receptacles in each workspace for proper disposal of materials.  Receptacles must be constructed of smooth, corrosion- resistant, easily cleanable, or disposable materials, be provided with solid tight-fitting covers (for food service areas), be emptied at least daily, and be maintained in a sanitary condition.

(2)  Provide receptacles used for putrescible solid or liquid waste or refuse that are constructed to prevent leakage and to allow thorough cleaning and sanitary maintenance.  Such receptacles must be equipped with solid tight-fitting covers unless they can be maintained in sanitary conditions without covers.

(3)  Remove all sweepings, solid or liquid wastes, refuse, and garbage in a manner which avoids creating a menace to health and discarded as often as necessary or appropriate to maintain sanitary conditions.

k.  Vermin Control.  (35-8.k)

(1)  Construct, equip, and maintain enclosed workplaces, as practicable as possible, to prevent the entrance or harborage of rodents, insects, or other vermin.

(2)  When the presence of vermin is detected, establish an Extermination Plan according to paragraph 35-7.