Abstract:
This proposal is consistent with an agreement settling certain
litigation described herein. OSHA is proposing to amend 29 CFR Part
1928, Standards for Agriculture, by adding a new 1928.10, Field
Sanitation. The proposed standard would require agricultural
employers to provide toilets, potable water, and handwashing
facilities for farm employees engaged in hand labor. Adverse health
effects are commonly associated with the absence of these sanitation
facilities. Farming operations that employ 10 or fewer such
employees, or that require hand- labor of short duration (3 hours or
less) or that involve hand-labor operations conducted inside of
permanent structures would be excluded from coverage under the
standard. At issue is whether an OSHA standard is reasonably
necessary or appropriate to deal with these health effects in the
context of agricultural field labor. The public is invited to
comment on all relevant issues, including the need for the standard.