Our fight for flush toilets has been years in the making. Below is a documentation of all the resources we created. We hope that it will inspire others to take up the fight around Canada and the U.S.
Don’t forget to check out our timeline page (opens in a new tab) for the story of how we won a legal requirement for flush toilets.
Washroom Facilities in the Construction Industry Report (opens in a new tab)
In the Spring of 2021, the BC Building Trades published its first report on the dire sanitary conditions on construction sites. The report examined the existing approaches used by employers in providing washrooms to workers on B.C. construction sites, and the governing regulatory framework under the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) and the related guidelines. Based on this review and considering the advanced practices in other jurisdictions, the report made recommendations focused on modernizing washroom facilities and hygiene practices on construction sites. It recommended that employers:
- Supply plumbed washroom facilities, including the option of portable plumbed washrooms.
- Provide access to handwashing facilities close to washrooms.
- Ensure washrooms are properly cleaned, disinfected and maintained.
- Ensure washrooms have proper heating and illumination.
- Ensure washrooms are within appropriate walking distance for workers.
Update on Washroom Facilities in the Construction Industry Report (opens in a new tab)
In 2023, we drafted an update to the original report. This report detailed new recommendations to achieve the goal of worker access to flush toilets on B.C. construction sites. The highlights of those recommendations include:
- The requirement of flushed toilets on construction sites where the project has or will have 25 or more workers.
- The adoption of the definition of ‘plumbed’ contained in the BC Plumbing code: “Plumbing system means a drainage system, a venting system and a water system or parts thereof.”
- The use of portable flush facilities on construction sites.
The report also examines WorkSafeBC’s updated guidelines on construction site washroom facilities pertaining to maintenance and the results of WorkSafeBC’s washroom facility inspection initiative.
Coalition Partner Kit (opens in a new tab)
The Coalition Partner Kit is a toolkit for public organizations to support the campaign. This includes resources to post on social media channels, email blasts and how to publicly endorse the campaign.