Porta Potty Forum
Log inAsk a question

OSHA 1926.51: Do weekend security guards count toward the headcount?

Hector V.asked 0 viewsConstruction & Job SitesOsha 1926 51Service frequencyLong term rentalWeekend crewSecurity guards

Weekend security guards count toward your OSHA 1926.51 headcount. The standard applies to any employee present at the site, including non-construction personnel like security. For two guards over a weekend, you need at least one toilet available.

OSHA's rule for small crews
OSHA 1926.51(c) requires one toilet for 20 or fewer employees. Your weekend crew is two people, so one standard portable toilet meets the minimum. There is no exemption for weekends or security roles.

Practical site setup
Leave the unit you use during the week in place. A standard unit on level ground with clear truck access for Monday service works. No need for a deluxe or ADA unit for two people unless one guard uses a wheelchair.

Service and security
Schedule your regular weekly service for Monday morning. The guards will use it lightly, so it won't overfill. Lock the unit if vandalism is a concern in your area.

Anybody run into pushback from a GC or security company on this?

1 answer

Sorted by votes
0
Carl D.Oklahoma City, OK

Yes, weekend security counts. If those two guards are on the books as employees at that jobsite, they sit in the same OSHA 1926.51 headcount as the weekday crew.

We leave our weekday unit in place for weekend security on longer builds. Two people over a couple of days barely move the tank, so Monday service still works fine. The gotcha is access: if the GC locks the fence Friday and nobody leaves a key or code for the vacuum truck, you eat a missed service on Monday even though the unit was fine all weekend.

For two people you are well under the 20-employee threshold in 1926.51(c), so one standard unit covers it. No special unit type for a weekend pair unless someone needs an ADA unit.

I would not pull the toilet Friday just because the trade crew went home. Pulling it and bringing it back Monday burns a delivery cycle and leaves the guards with nothing if the pickup runs late. Keep truck access open for the Monday pump.

Your answer

Log in or create a free account to answer this question.

Related questions