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Drywall crew of 12 on a house remodel: does OSHA want a separate handwash station, or is the sanitizer on the unit enough?

Tyler R.asked 0 viewsConstruction & Job SitesConstruction sitesHandwash stationOsha 1926 51Standard unitService frequencyPlacement

We are starting a three week drywall and paint job on an occupied house. Crew is about 12 people most days. Indoor bathroom is off limits because of dust and the homeowner does not want muddy boots inside.

I already ordered one standard porta potty for the driveway. The rental person said the unit has a hand sanitizer dispenser on the wall. My question is whether that covers washing under OSHA 1926.51, or if I still need a separate handwash station with soap and water for a crew this size.

Site is level asphalt driveway with easy truck access. No food service, just coffee and water. We will be there five days a week.

Do inspectors usually accept sanitizer only on a residential remodel like this, or should I add a freestanding handwash station next to the unit? Also curious how often the station needs refill if we go that route.

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Deb K.Akron, OH

OSHA 1926.51 requires a separate handwash station with water for a 12-person drywall crew, not just a hand sanitizer dispenser on the unit. The standard specifies that employers must provide adequate washing facilities with water for employees, and hand sanitizer alone does not meet this requirement for construction sites.

For your crew size, one standard portable toilet is sufficient per OSHA, but you need a handwash station with soap and potable water nearby. Inspectors will check for compliance, and sanitizer-only setups are often cited as violations on residential remodels, especially with drywall work involving dust and potential contaminants.

A handwash station typically has a 5 to 10-gallon fresh water tank and a separate gray water tank. For 12 people using it daily, expect to refill the water and empty the gray water about twice a week, depending on usage. Place it next to the toilet on level ground for easy access. Weekly service is standard, but heavy use or hot weather might require more frequent attention to keep it functional and clean.

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