Planning guide
OSHA Porta Potty Requirements for Pennsylvania Job Sites and Farms
Pennsylvania job sites follow federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51: 1 toilet for 20 or fewer workers, then 1 seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers. Farms follow 1928.110: 1 toilet and 1 handwashing facility per 20 field workers within a quarter-mile walk.
Written by Craig, owner of Craig Rental Works. Published .
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Does Pennsylvania have its own porta potty law for job sites?
Pennsylvania private-sector job sites follow federal OSHA rules, because Pennsylvania does not run its own OSHA state plan for private employers. The governing rule for construction toilets is 29 CFR 1926.51(c). Local building codes, permits and project contracts can add rules on top.
Public-employee job sites in Pennsylvania may have other requirements. Check with your project owner. OSHA state plans.
How many toilets does OSHA require on a construction site?
OSHA 1926.51 Table D-1 requires 1 toilet for 20 or fewer workers. From 20 to 199 workers, the rule is 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers. At 200 or more workers, it is 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 50 workers. A standard porta potty has 1 seat and 1 urinal.
| Workers | OSHA minimum | Standard units (minimum) | Our recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1 toilet | 1 | 1 |
| 25 | 1 seat + 1 urinal per 40 | 1 | 3 |
| 60 | 2 seats + 2 urinals | 2 | 6 |
| 250 | 1 seat + 1 urinal per 50 | 5 | 25 with weekly service |
Want us to check your plan? Call and we will size it on the phone.
Call (717) 210-4414Why recommend more units than OSHA requires?
Craig Rental Works recommends 1 standard unit per 10 workers because a 60-gallon tank holds about 200 uses. Ten workers using a unit 4 times a day for 5 days is 200 uses, exactly one week between services. At the OSHA minimum, a 25-person crew fills one unit in about 2 days.
This is a business recommendation, not a legal rule. It keeps the unit usable and prevents the complaints that come from overfilled units.
What does OSHA say about handwashing on job sites?
OSHA 1926.51(f) requires washing facilities where workers apply paints, coatings, herbicides or insecticides, or handle other harmful contaminants. The facilities must be near the work, kept sanitary and supplied with water, soap and towels. Many contractors add one handwashing station per site regardless.
See handwashing station specs.
What are the farm field sanitation rules?
OSHA 29 CFR 1928.110 requires 1 toilet and 1 handwashing facility for every 20 employees doing hand labor in the field, within a quarter-mile walk. The rule applies when 11 or more employees work in the field on any day. Potable drinking water is also required.
Lancaster County farms with harvest crews often hit the 11-worker threshold in peak weeks. Read 1928.110 · Farm rentals.
Quick answers
Does a 2-person crew need a porta potty?
OSHA requires toilet facilities for employees unless they have prompt transportation to nearby toilets. Most small crews on a house job rent 1 unit.
Does the toilet have to be on site?
Toilets must be available to workers. A unit by the site entrance is the norm.
Is this legal advice?
No. Confirm requirements with your project owner, safety manager or OSHA.