A disruption in the water supply is a serious health and safety issue. First and foremost, employees have the right to clean washrooms – if the toilet can`t flush the toilet and you can`t wash your hands; Hygiene goes through the window. It is up to the employer to propose an alternative or risk the consequences of non-compliance with labour law. Yes, you should not require your employees to pay for drinking water. The water supplied must be dispensed in individual disposable bottles, from a well or kitchen sink, or from a water dispenser. A sink in the bathroom is not considered a sanitary room from which drinking water can be obtained, as it could easily be contaminated. But OSHA`s drinking water requirements don`t have to scare you or put you to sleep. Standards are positive and easy to understand if you group them by topic and take a moment to simplify each point. How much can you expect to provide each employee per day? The rule of thumb is 8 glasses of water per day. That comes down to 64 ounces per day. However, since employees aren`t at work every 24 hours of the day, there`s probably no need to expect to provide 64 ounces per person.
If you`re considering buying bottled water to provide employees in an office, simple calculations can help determine an appropriate amount. What are OSHA`s drinking water requirements on construction sites? An average working day is 8 hours. Although there are 24 hours a day, we can assume that about 8 hours are spent sleeping. This means that we spend half of our waking hours at work. Half of 64 is 32, so 32 ounces per day per employee is a good estimate. Most bottles of water are 16.9 fluid ounces. Two bottles of water would likely meet the needs of an employee working 8 hours. Do you need to provide drinking water to employees? Of course not. It is acceptable to restrict consumption areas such as sellers on the sales floor. Or dangerous places in production facilities or construction sites.
But then you need to schedule frequent breaks to drink water. In 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. known to most as OSHA. OSHA is here to ensure that companies provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. OSHA has established a long list of standards that employers must adhere to or face fines and other consequences. Several rules are included regarding drinking water. In these cases, OSHA recommends regular, formalized water breaks alongside refreshment breaks. The regularity of water breaks could be based on individual working conditions; But it`s safe to say that when employees are thirsty, they`re already dehydrated.
In fact, OSHA has introduced regulations on an employer`s obligation to provide water on the construction site. Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations expressly provides for the following obligations of an employer. In response to the threat of heat-related illness to outdoor workers, OSHA has launched a campaign to reduce heat-related illness. This campaign includes a table of risk levels and protective measures, each of which involves the use of drinking water. Employers are not allowed to charge their employees for the water supplied. If drinking water is provided, the employer is not obliged to offer bottled water. If the work requires a lot of physical activity, physical work or if it is outside in the elements, a different amount of water is needed. While most people understand that it`s necessary to drink more water through sweats or in the sun, it`s also extremely important to stay hydrated in cold weather. The human body has to work harder to keep the body warm and functional, so extra water is usually needed. An employer is therefore not only required to provide water on site, but also has additional obligations to ensure that the water is consumed, hygienic and sufficient. You will need to provide bottled water (plenty for everyone). A bottled water cooler is the simplest solution, but don`t forget the cups! Providing quality drinking water is not only an enforced law for businesses, but also a great way to ensure productivity at the highest level.
By offering bottled water, a water cooler and disposable cups, or just a sink in the break room, employees are sure to want to work more. Hard-working employees tend to make a business more successful and certainly more productive. Consuming the right amount of water also tends to prevent headaches or migraines in the first place. Water helps blood and oxygen reach the brain smoothly, which helps stop headaches before they become a problem. It also allows for better reflection, so that the work is done more efficiently. Having employees who can think clearly is an obvious win for the employer. The first sign of dehydration is often extreme thirst. A dry mouth is usually a good indicator for drinking water. If there is a noticeable difference in the frequency of urination, or if the urine is dark in color, dehydration is probably a problem.
Fatigue and headaches are other common symptoms. Dizziness or confusion often indicates that the degree of dehydration is more advanced, as it is accompanied by some of the other symptoms of moderate dehydration. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is an American governing body that regulates occupational safety and health issues. The establishment of laws on alcohol in the workplace is in the hands of OSHA, and the following standards have been developed. If an employer chooses to provide a sink from which employees can get their drinking water, it is a good idea to ensure that the water is considered drinking water. While this should be the responsibility of the water company and the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act, contaminants sometimes fall through the cracks. 1915.88(b)(2): The employer shall provide drinking water in sufficient quantity to meet the personal and health needs of each employee. Heat Index> 115°F: An employer must create a water consumption plan (about 4 cups/hour). Harvard Medical School emphasizes the importance of hydration and has found that drinking water during the day allows the body and brain to function optimally.
As the world becomes more competitive, employee performance becomes increasingly important. As an employer, you need to provide your employees with the necessary tools and training, and taking performance to the next level could be as simple as easy access to clean water. If you don`t drink enough water when the first signs of dehydration set in, it can lead to complications that go beyond the symptoms.