CAB - Agricultural Safety Resource Guide: 7

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Agricultural Safety Resource Guide

7 - FIELD SANITATION

Introduction

Field sanitation involves the requirement that any agricultural establishment which hires field workers must provide potable drinking water, toilets, and hand-washing facilities to hand laborers in the field. Hand labor includes work done by hand or with hand tools during cultivation, planting, weeding and harvesting of vegetables, nuts, fruits or other crops, along with the packing of these products into containers.

One of the key requirements of proper sanitation is the provision of potable drinking water adequately dispensed in cups or a fountain located near the employees. Another key provision is the access of a sanitary toilet facility for each sex, located within a quarter mile walk, or if not feasible, at the closest point of vehicular access. Other components of good field sanitation practice include the following:

The employer will notify employees of the location of the above- mentioned facilities and provide a reasonable opportunity during the day to use them.
The employer will maintain the above-mentioned facilities in accordance with public health standards.
The employer will inform employees of the relevant hazards associated with the type of work being carried out.
The failure to provide for a source of potable drinking water, a toilet, and/or hand-washing facility could result in a minimum, non-adjustable penalty of $750. The abatement period for penalties is fixed at one day, and the filing of an appeal will not relax the abatement period.

An employer failing to provide facilities as required by a standard must complete a field sanitation compliance form annually for five years following the citation. The benefits of a good sanitation program can be a reduction in the number of workers who become ill from urinary tract infections, skin disease, and heat stress. It will also reduce the number of workers exposed to pesticides and fertilizers.

Laws and Regulations

CAL/OSHA Field Sanitation Standard Title 8 CCR Section 3457. Defines the type of establishment or operation in which the standard applies.

Title 8 CCR Section 3364. Requirements for sanitary facilities.
Title 8 CCR Section 3366. Washing facilities
Title 8 CCR Section 3350. Labor camp permits.

Note: There is a distinction between certain standards involving hand-labor operations and those not involving hand-labor operations. If hand-labor operations are not involved, then the employer should also check the requirements in sections 3360-3368.

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