Maintaining a high standard of hygiene within the amenities for employees and guests is integral to personal morale, comfort and well being. Hence it is important that amenities provided for employees and visitors are maintained as comfortable environments, free from associated hazards and disease.
Safe disposal of human waste is one of the primary ways of preventing the spread of disease. Most metropolitan and regional centres of Queensland are sewered, however, in rural and remote areas such as island resorts, other methods for on site collection, treatment and disposal are employed. These other methods, due to their nature, require a larger local commitment of resources if they are to function effectively.
Whatever the method of treatment and disposal used, there are a few basic requirements for adequate provision of toilet facilities.
First, there must be an adequate number of toilets, urinals and washbasins for guests and staff. There must also be an adequate number of hand basins and provision of hot and cold water, soap and hand drying facilities. Facilities must be regularly and thoroughly cleaned. Effluent must be safely carried away, treated and disposed of. For premises located in sewered areas the main focus is on numbers of toilets, provision of adequate hand washing facilities and an appropriate cleaning regime. Rural and remote premises also need to assess the type, adequacy and maintenance of treatment and disposal systems in use.
It is also important to keep shower and laundry facilities clean and hygienic to reduce the risks to health. See the Workplace Health and Safety information below for details on current standards.
The Department of Industrial Relations website has more information on workplace health and safety including advisory standards, brochures and guides.
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© The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2008.
