We’ve won the right to flush toilets on large sites.

Now we need your help to ensure enforcement.

Know your rights: Most employers have provided flush toilets and running water on large worksites. But some are refusing. By law, the flush toilets must:

Be working and sufficient in number
Be cleaned as frequently as necessary
Be illuminated, ventilated and heated
Include a handwashing facility nearby
Have supplies, like toilet paper
Be within 60 metres (200 ft) or one floor of the working area

Toilets not up to standard? File a complaint with WorkSafeBC

If you're on a construction project with 25 workers or more and your employer claims it’s not possible to provide flushing toilets, or if the toilets aren’t up to standard, you can file an anonymous complaint with WorkSafeBC by phone or online. (For the online option, simply leave the name and contact fields blank.)

File a complaint

Dirty, smelly, overfilled and unlit porta-potties – it is a matter of health and safety. That’s why the BC Building Trades launched this campaign.

Thanks to years of advocacy and thousands of letters sent to Premier David Eby, we won flush toilets on large construction sites.

Since October 1, 2024, all B.C. construction sites with 25 workers or more are required to provide clean flush toilets and running water.

There are more than 200,000 construction workers in B.C. With this new requirement, they will have access to flush toilets on large construction sites.

And it's not just flush toilets. The new requirement says flush toilets must include a handwashing facility nearby.

Now we must ensure employers are following the law. Know your rights and file a complaint if the toilets are not up to standard.

There is still work to do…

Most employers have accepted the new rules and have provided flush toilets and running water on large worksites. But some employers are refusing to follow the law. By law, the flush toilets must:

Be working and sufficient in number

Be cleaned as frequently as necessary

Be illuminated, ventilated and heated

Include a handwashing facility nearby

Have supplies, like toilet paper

Be within 60 metres (200 ft) or one floor of the working area

Not up to standard? File a complaint

If you’re on a construction project with 25 workers or more and your employer claims it’s not possible to provide flushing toilets, or if the toilets aren’t meeting these standards, you can file an anonymous online complaint with WorkSafeBC in less than 2 minutes (simply leave the name and contact fields blank). You can also call their hotline to make an anonymous complaint. No one will know it was you.

File a complaint now

We, construction workers, made flush toilets a reality. Now, we must ensure employers comply.

Lindsay S., Insulator

With the requirement of flush toilets, construction workers don’t have to feel like second-class citizens anymore.

Matt B., Electrician

We need to know our rights and call employers out if they are not following the law. This is a health and safety issue.

James M., Safety Rep

WorkSafeBC won’t know if an employer isn’t following the law. It’s up to us to raise the issue if they aren’t.

Crystal T., Painter

We won flush toilets because we fought for it. I’m so proud to be a member of the BC Building Trades.

Peter W., Ironworker