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OSHA 1926.51: does a 'mobile crew' exemption apply if the nearest bathroom is 10 minutes away?

Hector V.asked 2 viewsConstruction & Job SitesOsha 1926 51Construction sitesRules permits adaUnits per personMobile crew

OSHA 1926.51 does not exempt your crew from providing a toilet on site if the nearest bathroom is 10 minutes away. The mobile crew exemption applies only when transportation is readily available to toilet facilities, meaning immediate and unimpeded access without significant delay. A 10-minute drive each way disrupts work and does not meet the 'readily available' standard.

OSHA's mobile crew exemption requires that the crew has transportation, like your van, and that the toilet facility is nearby enough for quick use without productivity loss. Ten minutes away is too far; OSHA expects facilities to be on site or adjacent. For 12 workers, the standard mandates one standard portable toilet minimum.

Your setup with a van does not change this. The exemption is for crews moving between sites with rest stops or facilities en route, not for fixed sites with distant bathrooms. If your cell tower work keeps the crew in one location for hours, you need a unit on site.

Placement and service for a standard unit is straightforward. It needs level ground and truck access for weekly service visits. Rent one, avoid fines and crew complaints. Anyone dealt with similar remote sites?

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Ray M.Dallas, TX

No, a 10-minute drive does not qualify for the OSHA 1926.51 mobile crew exemption. The exemption applies only when transportation is readily available to toilet facilities, meaning immediate and unimpeded access without significant work disruption. A 10-minute trip each way is too far and would cause productivity loss, so you must provide a standard portable toilet on site for your 12 workers. OSHA 1926.51 requires one toilet for 20 or fewer workers, so one unit meets the minimum. The exemption is for crews constantly moving between sites with nearby facilities, not fixed locations like a cell tower job. Rent a standard unit, place it on level ground with truck access for weekly service visits. Service frequency may increase with heavy use or hot weather. This avoids fines and keeps the crew compliant.

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