SubTitle31-38a-1_31-38a-15. Sanitary, Lighting and Heating Facilities for Employees of Railroad Companies as Defined in Section 16-1 of the General Statutes, Title31 Labor, Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies

Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (Last Updated: June 14,2023)

SubTitle31-38a-1_31-38a-15. Sanitary, Lighting and Heating Facilities for Employees of Railroad Companies as Defined in Section 16-1 of the General Statutes

Sec. 31-38a-1. Definitions

Latest version.

(a) "Potable water" means pure clean water suitable for drinking or for washing purposes.

(b) Dressing room is an enclosed space used by employees for changing and hanging up work clothes and street clothes. A dressing room should adjoin a washroom or be provided with washing fixtures and facilities conveniently located.

(c) Restroom for women is an enclosed room provided with at least one cot or couch. A dressing room suitably equipped with a cot or couch is a restroom within the meaning of this definition.

(d) Washroom is an enclosed room containing washroom fixtures and facilities.

(e) Lavatory is any place, enclosed or not, where washing fixtures and facilities are located.

(f) Washbasin or washbowl is an individual basin or bowl made of sanitary pottery or other noncorroding material, equipped with a faucet for hot water and a faucet for cold water or a single faucet supplying water of a temperature suitable for washing. Each such basin shall have an outlet with a suitable stopper.

(g) Washing sink or washing trough is a trough made of sanitary pottery or other noncorroding material, equipped with hot and cold water faucets or tempered water faucets.

(h) Toilet room is an enclosed room containing toilet bowls with seats or toilet compartments and/or urinals.

(i) Toilet or water-closet compartment is an enclosure enclosing a single water closet.

(j) Water closet is an individual toilet bowl (with seat) connected with a sewer and having means for flushing each toilet bowl separately.

(k) Semiflush toilet consists of one or more toilet bowls or a toilet trough connected with a sewer and flushed automatically at intervals.

(l) A urinal is a toilet fixture connected with a sewer which is used for the sole purpose of urination.

(m) Latrine is a toilet facility, with or without toilet seats, over a trench, pit or stream used for defecation or urination.

(n) Chemical closet is a toilet facility in which the waste matter falls into a trench, pit, vault or other container and is treated with lime or a chemical disinfectant and deodorant to render the contents inoffensive and harmless to health.

(o) Privy is a structure enclosing a latrine or chemical closet.

(p) Sewer is a soil pipe carrying waste water or sewage to a sewer main, septic tank, filter bed or into a stream.

Sec. 31-38a-2. Water supply and drinking facilities

Latest version.

(a) Every railroad company in each place of employment shall provide an adequate supply of clean wholesome water at conveniently accessible locations for drinking and washing purposes.

(b) All drinking and washing water shall be supplied from a source or sources approved by the health authorities having jurisdiction. Water which may be subjected to contamination shall be treated and purified before being supplied to employees for drinking or washing purposes.

(c) Drinking water should be cooled during hot weather. Ice used to cool drinking water shall not come in direct contact with the water.

(d) No railroad company shall supply drinking water for employees in pails or other open vessels, whether fitted with covers or not, from which the water must be dipped or poured. Drinking water containers shall be bottles or other closed vessels which protect the water from dust, dirt and contamination.

(e) The common drinking jug, bottle, cup or dipper is prohibited.

(f) Individual drinking cups, when furnished, shall be supplied in containers to protect the cups from being soiled, contaminated or wasted.

(g) Sanitary drinking fountains or bubblers, when furnished, shall be of a type approved by health authorities.

Sec. 31-38a-3. General toilet accommodations

Latest version.

(a) Every railroad company in each place of employment employing ten or more females shall provide at least one suitably equipped restroom. Such restroom may be located in a dressing room.

(b) Every railroad company in each place of employment in which it is necessary or desirable that employees change their clothing at the beginning and the ending of work should provide and maintain for each sex a clean hygienic dressing room with ample space for each individual to hang his or her street and work clothes so that such clothing will not come in contact with the clothing of any other employee.

(c) An individual locker for each employee shall be provided by every railroad company in each place of employment where dirty, greasy, dusty, poisonous or other deleterious materials or products are handled. Each locker should be of such height, width and depth as to permit garments to hang without folding or rolling up. The door and sides should be perforated or openwork to provide ample ventilation.

(d) Each locker should be made of noncorroding material to prevent damage from rust or dampness.

(e) A suitable washroom or lavatory for the use of employees shall be provided by every railroad company in each place of employment. Such washroom or lavatory may be a part of the dressing room.

(f) Every restroom, dressing room and toilet room shall have outside windows to provide ample light and air. When necessary, ventilating fans shall be installed and operated to provide free circulation and change of air.

(g) Restrooms, dressing rooms, washrooms and washing fixtures and facilities shall be maintained in good working order at all times. Broken, damaged or impaired fixtures and facilities shall be repaired, restored or replaced as quickly as possible.

(h) Each washroom, toilet room and toilet compartment shall be painted white or other light color, or white-washed once a year or oftener to insure greater cleanliness and better hygienic requirements.

(i) Ample supplies of toilet paper in suitable sanitary rolls or containers, soap in sanitary containers and towels suitably protected against soiling or contamination before use shall be provided without charge by every railroad company in each place of employment.

Sec. 31-38a-4. Washing facilities

Latest version.

(a) All water supplied by any railroad company in each place of employment for washing purposes shall be potable water.

(b) Every railroad company in each place of employment shall furnish for each sex at least one standard washbasin or its equivalent for every twenty such employees, or fractional part thereof, up to one hundred. Beyond one hundred the ratio may be one basin or equivalent to each twenty-five employees of either sex, or fractional part thereof.

(c) If washing sinks or troughs are furnished, each two and one-half feet of trough or sink equipped with a hot-water and a cold-water faucet or a single faucet carrying tempered water may be counted equal to one basin. Where washing fountains are furnished, two and one-half feet of the circumference of such fountain shall be equivalent to one washbasin.

(d) Washing sinks or troughs equipped to be filled with water and used as a common washing trough should be replaced by standard washing basins or washing troughs as soon as practicable.

(e) Washbasins, bowls, sinks or troughs should be made of sanitary pottery or other noncorroding materials. Wooden or unprotected metal basins, troughs or sinks are condemned.

Sec. 31-38a-5. Toilet facilities

Latest version.

(a) Water closets required; sex designation. Separate water-closet compartments or toilet rooms shall be provided for each sex by every railroad company in each place of employment where both males and females are employed. Such water closets shall be designated for the use of males and females and clearly marked "Men" or "Women" at the entrance of the toilet room or of the water-closet compartment if not located in a toilet room.

(b) Number. Water or toilet closets shall be provided for each sex at the rate of one closet to twenty persons or fraction thereof, up to one hundred, and thereafter at the rate of one closet for every twenty-five persons.

(c) Location. Such closets and urinals shall be readily accessible to the persons for whose use they are designed. In no case may a closet be located more than three hundred feet distant from the regular place of work of the persons for whose use it is designed, except where service elevators, accessible to the employees, are provided.

Sec. 31-38a-6. Privacy

Latest version.

(a) Installations existing on February 7, 1961. (1) The entrance door to every water-closet compartment or toilet room existing on February 7, 1961, which opens directly into a workroom shall be screened from view by a vestibule or a stationary screen, extending to a height of not less than six feet, and of sufficient width to prevent a view of the interior of the water-closet compartment or toilet room. (2) Where such water closets for males and females are in adjoining compartments or toilet rooms and the entrance doors are within ten feet or less of each other, a stationary screen not less than six feet high and either T or L shape shall be built between and in front of the doors. (3) Every partition separating a water-closet compartment provided for males from a compartment provided for females shall extend from the floor to the ceiling and there shall be no direct connection between the compartments either by doors or by other opening. (4) No water closet or urinal compartment may be maintained in connection with rooms in which food products are manufactured or in which unwrapped food products are packed or sold, unless such compartment is separated from such rooms by a ventilated vestibule with door. The compartment and vestibule doors shall be provided with self-closing devices. During the period between May first and November first, all windows in toilet rooms, water closets and urinal compartments provided for such workrooms shall have wire screens, not coarser than fourteen mesh wire, and such screens shall be kept in good repair.

(b) New installations. (1) Every water-closet compartment installed after February 7, 1961, shall be located in a toilet room, or shall be built with a vestibule and door to screen the interior from view. (2) The door of every toilet room and of every water-closet compartment, which is not located in a toilet room, shall be fitted with an effective self-closing device to keep it closed. (3) Where the water closets for males and females are in adjoining compartments, there shall be solid plaster or metal-covered partitions between the compartments, extending from the floor to the ceiling.

Sec. 31-38a-7. Construction

Latest version.

(a) Installations existing on February 7, 1961. (1) The outside partitions of every toilet room and of every water-closet compartment not located in a toilet room shall be of solid construction and shall extend to the ceiling or the area shall be independently sealed over. Above the level of six feet the outside walls of a toilet room may be provided with glass that is translucent but not transparent. Windows when open shall be screened if necessary to prevent a view of the interior from surrounding buildings. (2) Unless constructed of marble, cement, plaster, tile, galvanized iron, glazed brick or other glazed materials or concrete with a mixture of waterproofing material, every toilet room and water-closet compartment, including the ceiling, shall be kept well painted with a light colored nonabsorbent paint, varnish or other substance impervious to water. (3) Where more than one water closet is installed in a toilet room, partitions between the water closets shall be provided which shall approximate as nearly as possible the dimensions prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (b) hereof.

(b) Installations after February 7, 1961. (1) The floor of every toilet room installed after February 1, 1961, and the side walls to a height of not less than six inches shall be constructed with sanitary base and of material other than wood, which is impervious to moisture and which has a smooth surface. This material shall be marble, Portland cement, tile, glazed brick or other approved waterproof material. The angle formed by the floor and the base shall be rounded. (2) Every water-closet compartment installed after said date, except the door, shall be constructed to a height of not less than four feet of material which is nonabsorbent to moisture and has a smooth surface. Where more than one water closet is installed in a toilet room, partitions between the water closets shall be provided and shall extend forward not less than fifteen inches further than the fixture. These may be of wood if covered with paint, or some other nonabsorbent material. They shall be not less than six feet in height and shall not extend nearer the ceiling or floor than one foot. They shall be at least twenty-eight inches apart. (3) In all water-closet compartments constructed after said date, there shall be at least ten square feet of floor space and eighty cubic feet of air space per urinal or stool installed.

Sec. 31-38a-8. Fixtures

Latest version.

(a) Every water closet installed after February 7, 1961, shall have a rim flush bowl made of vitreous china or of other approved material. Every such bowl shall be set entirely free and open from all enclosing woodwork, and shall be so installed that the space behind and below may be easily cleaned.

(b) Every water closet installed after said date shall have the seat made of nonheat-absorbing material, which shall be impervious to moisture.

Sec. 31-38a-9. Ventilation

Latest version.

(a) Installations existing on February 7, 1961. In places of employment existing on February 7, 1961, every toilet room or every water closet or urinal compartment shall be ventilated to the outdoor air by window, skylight or ventilating duct.

(b) Installations after February 7, 1961. Every toilet room or water closet or urinal compartment installed after February 7, 1961, shall have a window opening to the outer air, which shall be kept open, except where necessity requires the installation of such water closet or urinal compartment in a basement, in which case a ventilating duct shall be provided.

Sec. 31-38a-10. Heating

Latest version.

Every toilet room and water-closet compartment shall be kept heated during working hours to not less than 68°F. from November first to April first. Heating facilities installed after February 7, 1961, shall be so arranged as to permit thorough cleaning of floors and walls.

Sec. 31-38a-11. Lighting

Latest version.

Every toilet room or water-closet compartment shall be so illuminated that all parts of the room and compartment are easily visible at all times during working hours. If daylight is not sufficient for this purpose, artificial illumination shall be maintained. The approaches of all water closets and privies shall be kept well lighted and free from obstacles.

Sec. 31-38a-12. Urinals

Latest version.

(a) One urinal shall be installed by every railroad company in each place of employment employing ten or more male employees for every forty males or fractional part thereof up to two hundred and thereafter one additional urinal for every sixty males or fractional part thereof. Two feet of an approved trough urinal shall be equivalent to one individual urinal.

(b) Every urinal installed after February 7, 1961, shall be made of material that is impervious to moisture. Cast iron, galvanized iron, sheet metal or steel urinals are prohibited unless coated with vitreous enamel. Where slate is used, it shall be of first quality.

(c) Individual urinal stalls shall be provided with sides to give privacy. The sides and base of every urinal stall shall be made of material which is impervious to moisture and which has a smooth surface. The use of trough urinals in installations after February 7, 1961, is prohibited.

(d) Wherever urinals are installed after February 7, 1961, the floors in front for a distance of at least twenty-four inches shall slope to the drain.

Sec. 31-38a-13. Privies

Latest version.

(a) Privy vaults will be prohibited until after it has been shown to the satisfaction of the labor commissioner that their use is unavoidable.

(b) Every privy vault shall be water-tight and fly-proof, and the walls shall extend not less than twelve inches above the surface of the ground.

(c) Every privy shall be ventilated by unobstructed opening to the outdoor air other than the door, and every privy shall have a self-closing door. Every window and ventilating opening of a privy shall be provided with fly-screens.

(d) Every privy shall be kept clean and the contents of the vault shall be emptied, chemically treated or incinerated at frequent intervals. Dry sand, dry fine earth or lime shall be provided in a receptacle and used at frequent intervals to deodorize the contents of the vault.

(e) All privies shall be separated for the two sexes, and marked "Men" and "Women" as required for toilet rooms, and shall be provided with partitions and individual seats.

(f) The entrance to every privy shall be screened by a vestibule or a stationary screen extending to a height of at least six feet and of sufficient width to prevent a view of the interior. Where privies for males and females are in adjoining compartments, there shall be a metal-covered partition between the compartments, extending from the floor to the roof.

(g) Latrines shall be replaced by standard water closets where practicable. Where water closets are not practicable, chemical closets shall be installed.

Sec. 31-38a-14. Maintenance

Latest version.

(a) All water-closet compartments and all toilet rooms and all wash and dressing rooms and all privies and the floors, walls, ceilings and surfaces thereof, and all fixtures therein, and all water closets and urinals, basins and sinks shall at all times be maintained in good order and repair and in a clean and sanitary condition.

(b) In each toilet room and privy an adequate supply of toilet paper in proper holders shall be provided and it shall be of material which will not obstruct fixture or plumbing.

(c) The enclosure of all toilet rooms, dressing rooms or water-closet compartments and all fixtures shall be kept free from all indecent writing or marking and such defacement, when found, shall be at once removed by the employer.

Sec. 31-38a-15. Scope and application

Latest version.

Sections 31-38a-1 to 31-38a-14, inclusive, apply to sanitary facilities for railroad employees employed in, at or near depots, terminals, passenger yards, coach yards, freight yards, switching yards, garages, repair shops, warehouses, assembly points, headquarters and other facilities of such company located in this state.