Portable toilets and ablutions are not glamorous, but they are essential. Get them wrong and you create WHS problems, complaints, lost time and a site nobody wants to work on. Remote projects need amenities planned with the same care as power, water and access.
How many toilets do you need?
The right number depends on workforce size, shift pattern, gender mix, location, servicing frequency and whether people are based in a camp. A small civil crew may manage with a single serviced unit. A shutdown crew, road project or remote camp needs a proper amenities plan with toilets, handwashing, showers and waste servicing.
Types of units
Standard portable toilets suit short works and small crews. Trailer-mounted units are useful for mobile road and utility work. Ablution blocks include showers, toilets and basins for longer projects or camps. Crib rooms, laundries and changerooms may be needed where workers are on site for extended periods.
Servicing is the real issue
Hiring the unit is easy. Servicing it in a remote location is the hard part. Ask how often the supplier can pump out, clean and restock the unit, and what happens after heavy rain or road closures. Waste disposal must be lawful and documented. In hot regions, poor servicing becomes unpleasant very quickly.
Water and power
Ablution blocks may need water tanks, pumps, hot water systems, generators, wastewater tanks and plumbing connections. Make sure those are included in the quote. If the site has no water, you need potable water delivery or storage. If there is no power, include a generator or solar-supported system where suitable.
Remote and cultural considerations
On projects near remote communities or Aboriginal land, consider privacy, placement, access and consultation. Amenities should be safe, clean and respectful. For mixed crews, provide appropriate facilities rather than assuming one setup suits everyone.
Before you book
- Confirm workforce numbers and shift pattern.
- Ask for servicing frequency and waste disposal arrangements.
- Include water, wastewater and power requirements.
- Plan access for service trucks in all weather.
Good amenities keep people healthy and focused. Bad amenities become the thing everyone talks about at pre-start.