What if the service truck can't reach our unit due to mud?

Question

We have a standard portable toilet on our site for a crew of 15, placed about 40 feet from the access road on what was level ground. Last night's rain turned everything to deep mud. The service driver just called, his vacuum truck can't get near it without risking getting stuck. He said he'll mark it as a missed service and bill for the trip. I need to know the protocol here. Should I have the crew move the unit closer to the road temporarily? Do I need to call the rental company to reschedule, or will they just come back when it dries out? What if this happens again next week?

Nina R. · Answer

The driver is following standard protocol. A rental company bills for the service trip when the vacuum truck cannot reach the unit due to conditions like mud, and they log it as a missed service. Your crew should move the standard portable toilet to a stable, accessible spot near the road, but you must call the rental company first. They need to approve the new placement and may require you to sign a liability waiver for moving their equipment.

Call the rental company now to reschedule the service. They will not automatically return when the ground dries; you must request a new appointment. For future rain, you can prevent this by placing the unit on a gravel pad or wooden platform when it is first delivered. The rental contract specifies truck access requirements, and a blocked unit results in a billed trip. Your site has the correct number of units for 15 workers under OSHA 1926.51, which requires one toilet for 20 or fewer employees.

What if the service truck can't reach our unit due to mud?

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