Clarification of OSHA standards for toilet facilities.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

August 4, 1976

Mr. Richard Kops
Attorney at Law
1110 Lincoln Avenue
Holbrook, New York 11741

Dear Mr. Kops:

This is in response to your letter requesting clarification of OSHA standards for toilet facilities.

Reasonable access to toilet facilities; citation analysis for failure to allow access to toilet facilities.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 23, 2003

Professor Marc Linder
College of Law
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242

Dear Mr. Linder:

Access to toilet facilities in a call center.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

February 27, 2006

Elizabeth Khoury
201 Hawk Ridge Dr., #2315
Iowa City, IA 52246-4260

Dear Ms. Khoury:

This is in response to the February 2, 2006 e-mail you sent to me and the February 10, 2006 e-mail you sent to Helen Rogers of my staff. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation only of the situation discussed and may not be applicable to any question or situation not delineated within your letter. You had specific questions concerning restroom usage at call centers in Texas where you were once employed.

OSHA's regulations regarding restrooms for general industry.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

February 2, 2006

Mr. Charles R. Kubly
110 Bargstedt Lane
Fonda, New York 12069

Dear Mr. Kubly:

Requirements for covered beverages at nurses' stations.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

May 17, 2006

Ms. Barbara Caporusso, RN
22 El Camino Court
Coram, New York 11727

Dear Ms. Caporusso:

Requirements for "nature breaks" and weather-related "comfort breaks" for US Postal Service employee.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

May 12, 2006

Mr. David Craddock
6489 Betty Avenue
Cocoa, Florida 32927-4207

Dear Mr. Craddock:

Thank you for your letter of January 16, 2006, regarding your questions about taking "comfort breaks" and/or "nature breaks" during hours of employment. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation only of the facts discussed and may not be applicable to any questions not delineated within your original correspondence. We apologize for the delay in responding.

Use of paper towels instead of electric blow dryers in public restrooms.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

January 29, 2008

Ms. Rosemary Kacoyannakis
7 St. James Circle
Hudson, MA 01749

Dear Ms. Kacoyannakis:

Consuming food and/or beverages in the same work area where known hazardous chemicals are used.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

December 3, 2009

Mr. Michael W. Vasta
DCMA Boeing Philadelphia
P.O. Box 16859, MS P23-50
Philadelphia, PA 19142-0859

Dear Mr. Vasta:

Clarification of the Chromium (VI) Standard - Change Rooms and Hygiene Practices.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.