OSHA Highlights Restroom, Handwashing Standards in Construction and Facility Safety
OSHA stresses that sanitary restrooms are critical workplace safety infrastructure and a regulatory obligation — a message reinforced by Bradley’s 2025 Healthy Handwashing Survey™, which shows restroom conditions directly impact health, compliance, and public trust.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Sep 03, 2025
OSHA reminds employers in construction and facility management that providing clean, sanitary restrooms and handwashing stations is not optional — it is a regulatory requirement that directly affects worker safety and compliance.
Federal rules mandate that restrooms be accessible, regularly maintained, and stocked with soap, water, and a means to dry hands. On construction sites, portable sanitation must be provided in sufficient numbers and serviced often enough to remain usable. In fixed facilities, poorly maintained restrooms can contribute to the spread of illness and undermine safety culture.
Recent findings from Bradley Company’s 2025 Healthy Handwashing Survey™ underscore the point: 84% of Americans say unclean or poorly stocked restrooms hurt a facility’s image, while 71% are more likely to return to businesses with clean, well-maintained ones.
“Restrooms and handwashing facilities are critical safety infrastructure,” an OSHA spokesperson said. “When they are neglected, workers face higher risks of exposure to hazards and employers face enforcement actions.”
OSHA urges employers to inspect restrooms frequently, ensure supplies are available, and provide prompt, unrestricted access for all workers.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.