No more porta-potties at B.C. construction sites starting Oct. 1
What some B.C. construction workers describe as the worst aspect of their jobs will be coming to an end next month, the province announced.
Starting Oct. 1, construction sites with 25 workers or more will be required to have flushing toilets and hand-washing facilities, ending the reign of unsavory porta-potties.
“We all know how unpleasant port-a-potties can be, but this is actually a health-and-safety issue for construction workers,” said Labour Minister Harry Bains in a news release Thursday. “We have heard clearly from the building sector that it is an important issue for workers, and it contributes to the sector’s ability to attract and retain workers, including women.”
Premier David Eby first promised to address the washroom woes in the industry last October when speaking at the BC Building Trades Council, saying it was the union coalition’s advocacy that prompted the legislation.
According to Statistics Canada, more than 245,000 British Columbians work in the construction sector.
“I love my job, but one of the worst parts of going to work is facing the nasty conditions inside of construction-site port-a-potties,” said Tiffany Madden, a member of IBEW 213 and board member with Build TogetHER BC, in the release. “These new rules mean myself and my colleagues will be treated with the basic dignity of having flushing toilets with running water, something workers in most other industries take for granted.”
The province says the changes fall under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and WorkSafeBC is responsible for ensuring construction companies comply, beginning with making them aware of the changes over the next few months.
The new rules require toilets that can be connected to a sewer system or holding tank and use a flow of clean water. Washrooms will also require hand-washing facilities with soap and water and must be clean, ventilated and private.
“WorkSafeBC’s guidelines will allow for flexibility if flush toilets are not practicable. However, the onus will be on the employer to provide a rationale and evidence for being unable to provide these facilities,” the province wrote.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE SOON RCMP alleges Indian officials in Canada connected to extortion, homicides
The RCMP is alleging Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada engaged in clandestine activities linked to serious criminal activity in this country, including homicides and extortions.
Ontario police say 'escalating incidents' between high schools connected to deadly crash
'Escalating incidents' between two Hamilton high schools are believed to be connected to a car crash last week that left a 15-year-old boy dead, police say.
Father of 10-year-old girl found dead in the U.K. called police from Pakistan to say he killed her
The father of a 10-year-old girl found dead in her home in England fled to Pakistan and called U.K. police from there to say he had killed her, a jury heard Monday.
'We apologize to anyone we've offended': Bath and Body Works pulls candles over backlash
A major American retailer has stopped selling its new winter-themed candle over backlash from shoppers who said its design resembled Ku Klux Klan hoods.
Undercooked bear meat linked to outbreak of rare parasitic disease in U.S.
An outbreak of a rare parasitic disease has been linked to undercooked bear meat eaten by dozens of people at a gathering in North Carolina, a new U.S. CDC report has revealed.
Canadian drink company tastes controversy after Simu Liu raises cultural appropriation questions
Controversy bubbled for a Canadian drink company after its founders drew the ire of a Marvel superhero on an episode of a 'Shark Tank'-style reality series.
Striking images show rare floods in the largest hot desert on Earth
Striking images from the Sahara Desert show large lakes etched into rolling sand dunes after one of the most arid, barren places in the world was hit with its first floods in decades.
NDP parodies B.C. Conservative campaign promises with McRib post
British Columbia's New Democratic Party says it is responsible for a parody social media post that has B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad promising to bring back McDonald's McRib sandwiches.
British content creator dies trying to climb Spain's highest bridge
A 26-year-old British man has died after falling from Spain's tallest bridge during an attempt to climb one of its pylons.